Lawinenlagebericht

Northern Wallowas

Wallowa Avalanche Center
Auf der Karte ansehen

Lawinengefahr

Fri
Hochgebirge
2 · Mässig
Waldgrenze
2 · Mässig
Unterhalb
2 · Mässig
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Kernpunkte

Triggering a 1.5-3' thick avalanche remains possible on some slopes. Avalanches are more likely on shady slopes facing E-N-W and could occur on both sheltered mid-elevation slopes and in wind-affected terrain. Recent winds have formed fresh, hard drifts that are likely to be small but could be easy to trigger. 

Today's forecast is sponsored by Magic Woodland Studio.  

Lawinenprobleme

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    We have multiple known layers of buried surface hoar in the upper 3' of the snowpack in the Southern Wallowas.  There is some spatial variability, and this sensitive weak layer doesn't exist everywhere in the terrain.  There is a layer of surface hoar that was buried on Jan. 4th that produced a natural avalanche at Fish Lake on Jan 15th.  Another layer was buried on Jan 18th and has produced two snowmobile-triggered avalanches 1-3' deep this past week.  You can read a local rider's account of an avalanche his group triggered on the 24th.  Thanks to this rider for submitting observations this winter!

    You will likely not observe any Red Flags associated with the buried surface hoar, and it can be a very tricky weak layer.  A couple of options exist to increase your safety and decrease your chances of triggering an avalanche on this weak layer.

    1. Avoid slopes greater than 30 degrees near and below the treeline on W-N-E aspects. 

    2. Dig down into the snow to look for buried surface hoar, and conduct Compression tests to look for the initiation of a crack.  If you have a failure on the buried surface hoar, then you know it exists, is touchy, and should be avoided.  

    3.  If Step 2 is above your pay grade, or doesn't make sense, then sticking to Step 1 would be advisable.  

    You can read my observation from my travels yesterday and the reactivity of the buried surface hoar here.  

     

    (1/25/2023)

    I found the 1/18 layer of buried surface hoar reactive yesterday in my snowpack tests.  North aspect 7,000'.

    Photo: VM

  • Wind Slabs

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Likely
    Größe
    1–1.5

    Winds yesterday out of the N-NW-W were moderate with strong gusts near ridgelines.  S-E facing slopes were building fresh slabs of "upside down" snow, which feels punchy and makes for poor skiing and riding conditions.  Cornices were growing and dune-like snow formations were observed.  Often times a hard wind slab can feel drum-like and hollow.  If you observe the signs and symptoms of wind slab development, stick to non-wind-loaded terrain features to increase your safety.  

    (1/25/2023)

    Winds from the N-NW-W were moving snow to S-E aspects yesterday.  

    Photo: VM

Avalanche Discussion

The 11 Annual Eastern Oregon Backcountry Festival is coming up.  Join us for our biggest fundraiser of the year February 3-5th. 

  • Friday, Feb 3rd: HQ in La Grande we are showing "Buried" the 1982 Alpine Meadows Avalanche.  Doors Open @ 5:30, Pie Auction 6:30, Movie starts at 7! Tickets are $5 at the door.
  • Saturday, Feb 4th: Kip Rand Memorial Race registerhere.  Winners will receive $100 cash or an Anthony Lakes season pass for 23/24.  Mens and womens division.   (You must show up 15 minutes before the race starts at the EOBF tent near the rental shop. )
  • Snow safety clinics 10 AM Avalanche Companion Rescue Clinic.  Register here.  
  • 1 PM Snowpack Observation Clinic.Register here.  Space is limited, reserve your spot.  (You must show up 15 minutes before the clinics start at the EOBF tent near the rental shop. ) 
  • Bag of Hammers 3 PM at the Star Bottle Saloon.  Live auction and raffle.  
  • On Sunday you can join the forecasters for a tour into Angel Basin.  Register Here.  

If you aren't able to make it out for the events you can support the WAC by purchasing raffle tickets or bidding on items in our online auctionhere.  The online auction and raffle will run from Jan 20th at Midnight to February 5th at 8PM. 

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