With an insanely early Oct. burst of freshness, Mt. Baker received over 20 inches last week, in less than 24 hours, on top of a small base from storms the previous several days. While the sudden midweek slam took most by surprise, a few of the area's finest made it up for first tracks of the 07/08 season -- or the final storm of the 06/07 season, depending upon how you view it. Maple Falls regulator, Mt. Baker avalanche safety instructor Jeff Hambleton and frequency building contractor, snaps a clean slash only two weeks past summer (Oct 5).

It's on.

JG

photo: Pak K