New snow and moderate to strong winds have created sensitive wind slabs along leeward ridgelines. Avoid areas that have clues of wind loading such as smooth and dome shaped pillows of snow. Look for red flags of instability such as shooting cracks, collapsing or "whumpfs", and recent avalanches. If witnessing these red flags, seek out avalanche resistent terrain less than 30 degrees.
Last night, strong ridgeline winds were recorded with gusts into the 40s. The forecast is calling for continued modearte NW winds throughout the day today. Look for signs of windloading such as a rippled snow surface or dome shaped pillows of hollow sounding snow. Avoid these areas. Natural windslabs were observed yesterday along Wing Ridge. See photo and observation here.
As we continue to have cold clear nights, protected north facing aspects will see continued weakening of the surface snow. This could continue the dry loose avalanche problem in terrain 35 degrees or steeper. Utilize small test slopes to check for reactiveness, and avoid terrain where even a small loose avalanche could knock you off your feet into a consequential terrain trap below.
As the northern wallowas received storm totals on the lesser end of the spectrum, I don't think this has added enough weight to the poor upper snowpack structure to warrant a persistent slab problem. However, continue to investigate the bonding of the new snow to the old snow surface through hand pits and small test slopes. If seeing red flags of instability such as shooting cracks, collapsing of the snowpack, or recent avalanches- select more avalanche resistent terrain that is 30 degrees or less.
There is a different picture in the Southern Wallowas and Elkhorns. If venturing to these forecast areas, please read the specific forecast for that zone.
The recent observation of the naturally occuring windslab in south bowl was likely triggered by a failing cornice. There could be weak, sensitive cornices along leeward ridgelines that could fail under the weight of a person. Give them a wide berth!
Keep the great observations coming. Submit your obs here.
Happening this weekend......The Eastern Oregon Backcountry Festival at Anthony Lakes!
We are pleased to announce the return of the Kip Rand Memorial uphill/downhill race starting at 8 am on February 5th up at the ski area. Participants can register for the race here. After the race, we are offering two clinics starting at 10 am and 1 pm, taught by WAC staff. More information on the events for the weekend can be found here.
February 5th:
February 6th:
Online Auction and Raffle -Similar to last winter we are having an online auction and raffle with some amazing prizes. Thanks to all of the local generosity for putting together some sweet donation items. You can go to the Auction here. All proceeds will help cover the cost of avalanche forecasting this winter. Also, be sure to check out some of our new WAC Apparel in our online store.
Forecast presented by @onxbackcountry. onXbackcountry is a GPS navigation and mapping tool designed with your backcountry objectives in mind, equipped with Avalanche Forecast and Slope Angle layers, Offline maps and more.
