Wind Slab Avalanches on Mt. Judah

Clues to instability existed from the trailhead with strong SW winds blowing snow over exposed areas.  As we moved up through terrain, small wind loaded test slopes showed small reactive wind slabs.  At higher elevations, wind slab depths grew to 1 to 2' deep on mostly NE-E aspects.  On test slopes on Wildflower Ridge, wind slab avalanches were reactive to skier triggering and showed some propagation potential.  As we gained elevation, we could see 10 different wind slab avalanches along the Mt. Judah Ridge and along the Mt. Lincoln/Anderson Peak Ridge-all thought to be natural avalanches.  All of these wind slab avalanches were in the D1 category, not extending very far downslope, and most looked to be cornice fall related.   These wind slabs were dense at pencil hard, with the underlying snow at fist hard.  Strong SW winds and wind transport continued through the day, although available snow will begin to decrease.  We were able to avoid wind loaded terrain while still enjoying good snow conditions and completed our tour.