Lawinenlagebericht

Elkhorns

Wallowa Avalanche Center
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Lawinengefahr

Mon
Hochgebirge
3 · Erheblich
Waldgrenze
2 · Mässig
Unterhalb
1 · Gering
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Veraltet — dieser Lagebericht ist 8 months ago abgelaufen. Du siehst vergangene Verhältnisse, nicht den aktuellen Bericht.

Kernpunkte

Another round of snowfall today will require you to use caution while traveling in the mountains.  New snow and wind-drifted snow will remain sensitive to the weight of a rider, near ridgelines, below cliffs, and open terrain features.  Utilize sheltered terrain and lower-angle slopes to decrease your exposure.  

Avalanche danger has been rated Low, below treeline, due to a lack of snow.  

This forecast is sponsored by The Trailhead in Baker City.  

Lawinenprobleme

  • Wind Slabs

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Likely
    Größe
    1–2

    New snow today has the potential to cover the older wind slab.  These wind slabs may rest over slick crusts formed in mid-December. If an avalanche breaks down to these crusts, they could be larger than expected, potentially greater than 2' deep.  Low-angle routes, wind-scoured slopes, or sheltered terrain often provide safer travel options.   You can dig down with your shovel, or use your probe to determine the amount of new snow sitting on top of the mid-December crust.  

    Just because you aren't seeing natural avalanche activity doesn't mean the danger doesn't exist.  Visual clues such as cracking, dune-like formations, and a textured snow surface all point towards a wind slab.  Reduce your risk by avoiding steep terrain on wind-loaded slopes below ridgelines and features ending in terrain traps. 

    This is a good reminder from our neighbors at the Sawtooth Avalanche Center of how, even during times of low snow coverage, avalanches can catch us off guard.  

    (3/16/2025) Photo: Victor McNeil

Avalanche Discussion

Happy Winter Solstice!  Enjoy the shortest day of the year.  

Weekend Weather:  Another round of snowfall with moderate accumulation is expected today.  This new snow will likely be heavier than the snow that fell on Friday, due to an increase in snow levels and temperatures.   Many steep slopes are primed and waiting for a human to tip the balance.  Just because you aren't seeing natural avalanche activity doesn't mean the danger doesn't exist.    

Mid-December Crust:  WAC Forecaster Caleb Merrill traveled in the Northern Wallowas on 12/20 and found unstable snow conditions.  All of the new snow we are receiving is sitting on top of a very firm crust that formed in mid-December.  The new snow will need time to bond to this slick surface.  Triggering an avalanche on this layer could be very consequential.  You would be hard-pressed to self-arrest on this ice layer, whether on your snowmobile, skis, or on foot.   

Travel Advice: Although our enthusiasm for the new snow is high, remember that early-season conditions exist.  Use caution as new snow may be lightly covering rocks, trees, strumps, etc.  If you trigger an avalanche, these obstacles will be trauma boosters.

 New resources for 2025/2026

  • Blog post on gear and brain prep for the season: The Shakedown
  • Avy App. It can save the forecast for offline use and store field observations that upload automatically when back in service. 

Avalanche Courses:  The WAC provides avalanche education specifically for both backcountry skiers and snowmobilers.  Check out all of our courses here.  

  • Motorized Companion Rescue Jan. 16 Catherine Creek
  • Motorized Level 1 Course Jan 17-18 Catherine Creek
  • Motorized Level 2 Course Jan 24-25 Halfway
  • Motorized Level 1 Refresher Feb 7 Catherine Creek
  • Women's Only Snowmobile Clinic Feb 28-March 1 Catherine Creek

Observations: 

 Submit an observation here.  Let's paint this picture together.   An observation can be just that- a picture.  It doesn't have to use any technical wording or snow nerd acronyms.  Just explain where you went and what you saw.   Submitting observations through the Avy App has made it incredibly easy to help paint the picture for forecasters and recreational users.  

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