Elkhorns

The snowpack has "locked up" as temperatures have plummetted and snow levels will decrease throughout the day.  Your biggest concern today might be taking a long fall with a difficult time self-arresting on the firm snow surface.  If you do find yourself in some lower elevation mushy snow consider the likelihood of triggering a wet loose avalanche.  

Note: Our final avalanche forecast for the season will be this Saturday the 10th at 7am.  

The bottom line is on days when the ambient air temperature rises above freezing we need to be on the lookout for wet avalanche problems including wet loose, wet slabs, cornice failures, and glide cracks.  Set yourself up for success and look at the weather forecast for the day, and also check the local weather stations to see how much of a freeze occurred overnight.  If you don't observe temperatures below freezing for multiple hours, the snow level is above the zone you plan on recreating, and the high temperature for that day is above freezing you should use extra caution.  You can learn more about wet avalanche problems here.  Give yourself plenty of room around cornices, as they can become increasingly unstable in the spring, and can break free from the ridgelines they're attached too much further back than you might expect.  Most recreationists don't become negatively impacted by glide avalanches, but it's good to understand what they are.  The images below capture some of the common wet avalanche problems, including a sagging cornice. 

PLEASE HELP US HELP YOU:  We want to learn more about how you use the Forecast and our products. Kelly Rice-McNeil (Eastern Oregon University) and Victor McNeil (Wallowa Avalanche Center) are spearheading a project to understand how you use avalanche center products and, ultimately, to improve them. Help us help you by taking 10 minutes or so to fill out a survey.  Google Forms link:  https://forms.gle/YwgEwHRnT4ucSF226