Northern Wallowas

Sliding on icy surfaces or overheating your machine will likely pose a greater threat than avalanches today.  Shady aspects in mid and upper elevations are the best place to find soft snow, or most aspects below the cloud layer if you can find a deep-enough base.  

Today's forecast is sponsored by Flowstate Handyman of Wallowa County.  

The parade of consistently warm atmospheric rivers in December, leaving us with about half of an average snowpack, was not normal. However, this enduring high pressure for multiple weeks is quite normal for most Januaries.  

A strong temperature inversion continues with cold temperatures down low and a thick blanket of clouds. Want to escape the gloom of the inversion? Gain some elevation.  

Snow conditions:

Exposed upper elevations hold a mixed bag of surface crusts, soft but weak surface snow, and old wind-stiffened snow that is unlikely to be reactive as a wind slab (Jan 21 N Wallowas). Clear, cold nights and a strong temperature gradient in the upper snowpack have weakened (or faceted) the upper six inches of the snow surface on mid- and upper-elevation shady aspects (good riding). On sunny aspects, a sometimes-supportable melt-freeze crust exists (less good).  

Deeper in the snowpack: Concerning snowpack structure exists in the Elkhorns and outlying areas of the Wallowas.   

Specifically, forecasters and observers have been tracking weak snow around the 1/3 crust in the Elkhorns.  This can be found one to two feet from the snow surface.  In many places in the Wallowas, the 1/3 interface is marked by a layer of graupel snow.   

The concerning structure in the Wallowas exists where:

1.) Shallower total snowpack depths (less than 4 feet) exist AND 

2.) The 12/18 crust near the ground is a series of breakable crusts with weak/faceted snow in between the crusts. 

This is unlikely to be an issue while we wait out our January drought, but this structure will be our foundation when we get our next storm.   

 

Recent Observations:  Help reduce uncertainty and let us know what you are seeing in your backcountry travels:  Submit an observation here.  

 

 

 

Upcoming Events:  14th Annual Eastern Oregon Backcountry Festival Jan 30-Feb 1

Friday, January 30th: HQ (110 Depot Street) in La Grande, Pie auction and ski flick!  Doors open at 5:30 PM, Pie Auction at 6:30, and the movie starts at 7:00. Matchstick Productions film "After the Snowfall" at HQ in La Grande. Tickets are $15 at the door; kids are free. If you would like to bring a pie or dessert, email Rex Stanley, [email protected] 

Saturday, January 31st: Join us at Anthony Lakes Mountain Resort for a full day of activities. Kip Rand memorial race kicks off at 8 AM, followed by a Companion Rescue Clinic at 10 AM and a Snow Science Clinic at 1 PM. We'll have a raffle and live auction in the main lodge in conjunction with music from High Pine Whiskey Yell later in the afternoon.  (You must pre-register for the race and clinics.)

Sunday, February 1st:  Tour with the WAC forecasters and staff. You must pre-register to attend, and spots are limited.  

Volunteers and raffle/auction items needed:  If you would like to volunteer, please email [email protected]. We are always looking for items to raffle and auction, and they don't have to relate directly to skiing or snowmobiling.  Please reach out if you have an item you'd like to donate.  

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.