Elkhorns

Generally stable conditions exist, and avalanches are unlikely today.  If you see blowing snow, or find wind-stiffened snow or shooting cracks near ridgelines, seek out low-angled slopes.  Continue to use normal caution and safe habits while traveling in the backcountry today.

Today's forecast is sponsored by Robert Brooks Painting of La Grande, OR.

Happy Valentine's Day: A treat for all, snow.  And more incoming for the next week.

Current State of the Snowpack:  Yesterday, two reports from the SW Wallowas (Catherine Creek area) observed widespread surface hoar on the surface up to 8000'.  If this exists in the Elkhorns and gets buried, expect touchy small windslabs above it. These will be largely unharmful, but could surprise you in how widely they propagate, or break across terrain features.  

Today's few inches won't be enough to activate deeper weak layers, but forecasters and observers are still finding concerning structure with facets sandwiched between the melt-freeze crusts from 1/3, and now 2/8. We have not witnessed any avalanches on these layers, and snow stability tests have not yielded any propagation or sudden results, which can indicate stability. However, as the new snow settles into a more cohesive slab, and as it loads further with more snow, we should pause to see how the snowpack handles the additional load and consider avoiding avalanche terrain.  

Observations: If you are out in the mountains, please send us an observation of what you saw. All observations are noteworthy and greatly help the forecasters. If you snapped some photos, please include those as well.  

Beacon Parks: Thank you to everyone who helped establish the beacon training park at Anthony Lakes (across from the ski lift on Mud Lake) and near the warming shelter at Salt Creek Summit snopark outside of Joseph, OR. These are free tools that we should all take advantage of.  

Upcoming Events:  Snowmobile Riding Clinic for Snow Professionals Feb 26-27

If you are a snow professional who’s interested in building your snowmobile skills and technique, or are looking to advance to the next level, the Wallowa Avalanche Center is offering a 2-day clinic on February 26-27.  This clinic is open to Avalanche Forecasters, ski patrollers, ski guides, and other industry professionals.  Click here to learn more.