Avalanche forecast

Elkhorns

Wallowa Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 4 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

 The fresh wind drifted snow could increase the chances of triggering a slab avalanche today.  The most likely location to encounter a wind slab today is above the treeline, predominately on S-E-facing slopes.   If you observe active wind transport, the appearance of dune-like formations or feel drum-like snow, stick to lower angle terrain and avoid wind loaded features.  The best snow conditions will likely be on lower angle slopes anyways.

Forecast presented by @onxbackcountry. onX Backcountry 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.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–1.5

     If you see plumes of drifting snow, feel harder drum-like now sitting above softer snow, or observe dune-like formations these are all clues that a wind slab has formed or is forming.  These fresh slabs will be sitting above the slick rain crust from last week and will be sensitive to the weight of a rider on steep slopes.  The best recommendation is to stick to sheltered terrain, or slopes without the presence of a wind slab to find safer and more enjoyable riding conditions.  

    (3/9/2022)

    Gusty NW winds on 3/9 were scouring upper north-facing terrain and depositing snow onto southerly aspects near ridgeline creating reactive wind slabs. Watch for pockets of wind slab on the leeward side of ribs and gullies mid-slope.

    Photo: M. Hatch

Avalanche Discussion

The Elkhorns picked up about 1' of new snow in the past couple of days.  There's plenty of loose snow available for wind transport, and if winds increase slabs will increase in depth.   Triggering a small wind slab today, probably won't bury you, but the firm rain crust from last week could send you into consequential terrain rapidly.   Assess steeper slopes with an error of caution and make sure you can hold an edge before stepping out into bigger terrain.  

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