Lawinenlagebericht

Blues

Wallowa Avalanche Center
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Lawinengefahr

Hochgebirge
2 · Mässig
Waldgrenze
2 · Mässig
Unterhalb
Keine Stufe
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Kernpunkte

The allure of sunny skies and fresh snow should not blind you to the reality that human-triggered avalanches are possible in specific terrain features.  A buried persistent weak layer at the storm snow interface down 8"-12" in the snowpack could be triggered by the weight of a rider on steep convex rollovers, unsupported slopes above and near cliffbands, and on wind-deposited slopes near ridgeline. Additionally, there is the potential for south-facing and rocky terrain to produce small wet loose avalanches on steep > 35 degree slopes at low to mid elevations in the PM.  

It is with profound sadness that we report an avalanche fatality occurred on 3/6 in the Northern Elkhorns. Our backcountry community is small and understand the tremendous grief many are experiencing. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all affected. An accident report will be forthcoming. A preliminary report can be found below in the forecast discussion.

This forecast is sponsored by Anthony Lakes Mountain Resort. 

Lawinenprobleme

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Up at Spout Springs yesterday I found a thin layer of buried surface hoar down 8" at the new/old snow interface on a north-facing slope near 5200' in elevation. Surface hoar is notorious for being a persistent and reactive weak layer when buried.  If you collapse this weak layer in a shallower area on the slope (say around rocky terrain or wind-scoured areas) or roll over a steep wind-loaded convexity the propagating fracture could trigger a large and destructive avalanche.  Avoid potential trigger points and steep (>35 degrees) convex rollovers, especially near treeline and mid-slope. Surface hoar forms in more open and protected terrain with little sun, so you'll find in mostly on shady slopes NW-N-NE. There is a lot of spatial variability of this layer across the slope. It is hard to see in the snowpack as it is a very thin layer. When in doubt, do snowpack tests, and better yet, choose lower-angle terrain to recreate in. You can always choose to avoid avalanche terrain altogether, and at the very least, ride on aspects where this problem is less likely to exist. 

     

     

    (3/13/2024)

    This is the type of terrain where you could trigger the buried persistent weak layer in the Blues. It is a north-facing slope where the wind has been depositing snow and it also happens to be a convex rollover where the slope steepens considerably and is under added stress. 

    Photo: Wallowa Avalanche Center

  • Loose Wet

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Possible
    Größe
    1

     With daytime temperatures at 5000' expected to be close to 40 degrees today, wet loose avalanches may be human-triggered on steep >35 degree slopes in the PM with daytime warming. Potential warning signs of wet loose activity include rollerballs and pinwheels cartwheeling down the slope, sinking up to your boot tops in wet snow, or getting your sled bogged down in a soupy moist mess. Recreationists in the Blues should be especially careful traveling up steep canyon gullies and drainages in the afternoon as slopes become unstable. Avoid and stay out from underneath steep (>35 degree) slopes, and if you must traverse steep slopes, be sure to go one at a time. This problem is only going to get worse in the coming days as temperatures rise.

    Roller balls and pinwheels - classic indicators of sunny slopes becoming unstable with daytime warming. 

     

    Photo: Kelly McNeil

Avalanche Discussion

No danger rating has been issued for the lowest elevation band in the Blues (3000'-4000') due to the lack of snow in that zone. If we receive significant low elevation snow we will begin forecasting for that zone again.

Warming Temperatures = Increasing Instability

Over the next few days and through the weekend the weather is going to be sunny and warm. Daytime temperatures will continue to rise through early next week. Solar aspects (SE-S-SW) at most elevations in the Blues will be gathering quite a bit of heat, which will cause the snow to melt, and that melting will penetrate into the snowpack and create instability. A big thing to watch for is if the overnight low temperatures do not get below, or much below, freezing (32 degrees) for several nights in a row. If this happens, one can expect the snowpack to lose strength quickly and become unstable. Pay attention to the Snotel sites in the Blues, namely High Ridge and Milkshakes. If it doesn't freeze at these locations, then you should avoid steep sunny slopes >35 degrees by early afternoon. 

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Avalanche Fatality on Gunsight Mountain in the Elkhorn Mountians on 3/6/24

At approximately 4:30 pm on Wednesday, March 6th, an avalanche accident occurred on the north side of Gunsight Mountain (8342′) in the Elkhorn Mountains near Anthony Lakes.  

We are deeply saddened to announce that Nick Burks passed away due to trauma after triggering an avalanche while backcountry skiing with a friend.  Nick was a highly respected snow safety professional and worked for the Wallowa Avalanche Center as an educator and forecaster.  A full investigation and report will be forthcoming in the coming days.  Our backcountry community is small and we understand the tremendous grief many are experiencing. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all affected.

A Celebration of Life for Nick Burks

The first celebration of life for Nick Burks will be held this Saturday, March 16 at Terminal Gravity Brewing in Enterprise, OR at 1 PM.  Please bring photos, stories, poems, and songs to share as we’ll have access to the outdoor stage.  Anyone who knew or was impacted by Nick is welcome to attend.  Another celebration is in the works for later this month in Parkdale, OR.  If you have any questions please email [email protected].

 

 

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