Avalanche forecast

Elkhorns

Wallowa Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Wind-drifted snow will form sensitive slabs that should be avoided on or around slopes >30 degrees, including runout zones.  Signs of wind-affected snow include dune-like formations, drifts, plumes, and cornice growth.  With known weak snow layers buried 2' or more below the surface triggering a wind slab could produce a much larger and unsurvivable avalanche.  

It is with profound sadness that we report an avalanche fatality occurred Wednesday afternoon 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 in the next few days.  A preliminary report can be found below in the forecast discussion.

This forecast is sponsored by the Wallowa County Gamblers Snowmobile Club.  

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2

    Winds picked up overnight and will continue today, primarily from the South-Southwest.  With plenty of snow available for transport you should expect wind-drifted snow to accumulate and form into a sensitive slab.   The most common signs visual signs of wind-stiffened snow are dune-like formations, drifts, cornice growth, and plumes.  Near ridgelines, you may notice the snow has been removed, frequently down to an old crust layer, and re-deposited onto another slope.  If you suspect a slope has been wind-loaded it's best to avoid the slope, including traveling in the runout zone of slopes greater than 30 degrees.    

    Triggering a wind slab could have dire consequences on slopes with weak snow buried 2' or more from the surface.   

    (2/29/2024)

    This is the dappled texture of a classic wind slab. 

    Photo: Wallowa Avalanche Center

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2.5

    Weak snow including buried surface hoar and facets above a crust have become reactive over the past several days.  The layer of surface hoar buried on 2/26 has been found in the Elkhorns, Southern Wallowas and Northern Wallowas. It should be noted that in the Northern Wallowas, a report yesterday from Sentinel Peak area, indicates a large and destructive natural avalanche cycle occurred in the last few days.  Recreationists should be very leary of traveling on and underneath steep > 35-degree slopes in the alpine. Conservative route finding and selection is a must. Avoid having more than one rider on a slope at a time and space out while traveling.

    Be vigilant...this has been a sleeping dragon, but as the loose storm snow has consolidated and become a slab, this has awakened the dragon. In most zones, this surface hoar layer is buried about 2' deep. 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 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. There is a lot of spatial variability of this layer across the slope and throughout the area mountain ranges. 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. 

    (3/7/2024)

    Pete's Point

    NE face of Sentinel Peak. Aprox 9300’ for the crowns, 7800 for the toe. Appears to have happened within the last day or two. No noticeable new snow or wind transport on the debris or bed surface. Appeared to be triggered naturally. Multople crowns, multiple layers. Aprox. 2’ to 6’+. Over 2000’ wide.

    Photo: Brandon

    Photo: Wallowa Avalanche Center

Avalanche Discussion

Avalanche Fatality on Gunsight Mountain in the Elkhorn Mountains 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.

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Persistent Slab Problem:  

What:  Weak snow layers in the forms of facets and surface hoar buried during February has awoken and become reactive over the past week.  The 2/1 buried facets sitting atop a stout crust was the known weak layer that caused the avalanche on Gunsight Mountain on March 6.  There have been other observations from the Northern and Southern Wallowas of large to very large natural and remote triggered avalanches.  

There is a slight chance that the fair amount of light-density snow present could become moist with daytime warming, loose cohesion, and move down steep south-facing slopes > 35 degrees as wet loose avalanches at lower elevations. Wet loose avalanches or sluffs can carry you to places you don't want to be. Look for rollerballs and pinwheels as visual clues of wet loose avalanches. If you see these signs or start sinking into the wet snow seek lower-angle slopes or slopes without terrain traps in case you take a ride. 

This is the time of year when extra caution should be given to overhanging cornices. As temperatures rise and the sun's power grows more intense cornice fall becomes an elevated hazard. Give cornice edges a wide berth, and when traveling on ridges, always stay on the windward side where signs of terra firma exist - a tree, a rock, - something to let you know you are not dangling in space and tempting fate. 

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