Avalanche forecast

Elkhorns

Wallowa Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Moderate winds overnight and available snow for transport have created sensitive windslabs along leeward ridgelines.  Avoid areas that have clues of wind loading such as smooth and dome shaped pillows of snow.  A dangerous combination of weak snow and crusts sits below the new snow.  As the new snow gains cohesion, there will remain the possibility of triggering a deeper avalanche that could be large and deadly.   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. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Moderate to Strong Northwest winds were recorded overnight along ridgelines at 7,000'.  Where there is snow available for transport, wind slabs will be likely on leeward sides of ridgelines.  Look for signs of windloading such as smooth rounded pillows of snow or a rippled snow surface.  Other signs include corniced ridgelines and hollow drum like sounding snow.   If your boards or machine start to ride up on a firm surface instead of sinking a few inches into the snow surface- you are on a slab!  Avoid terrain that is windloaded, especially where it is above consequential terrain traps such as cliff bands, gullies, or dense trees.   Observers found a freezing fog crust in some areas of the southern wallowas yesterday.  In areas where this is present, it should help to inhibit the transport of new snow.  

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    A weak upper snowpack structure exists in much of our forecast area.  The storm snow from earlier this week is starting to settle into a more cohesive slab, and will continue to do so with warmer temperatures and filtered sun today.  This new layer of snow is sitting upon a combination of weak faceted snow and crusts.  Yesterday in the southern Wallowas, I found buried surface hoar mixed in with the facet/crust combination about a foot down from the surface.  At this location, (7,000' East aspect), I conducted an extended column test and got a propagating result with the third tap of my wrist.    See the photo of Surface Hoar below.   Check out the video from my ECT as well.  I would expect the Elkhorns to have a similiar setup in the upper snowpack.  

    This type of avalanche problem will be trending towards being more reactive as we get more settlement of the new snow.   As we gain more observations and tests with the new snow on top of persistent weak layers, we will begin to get a clearer picture of the reactiveness and distribution of this problem.  Patience is the key here.  This problem will not heal overnight.  Clue into the red flags of instability such as shooting cracks, collapsing of the snowpack, and recent avalanches.  If you have uncertainty with the snowpack, then your solution lies within your terrain selection.  Seek recreation and travel routes on avalanche resistent terrain less than 30 degrees.  

Avalanche Discussion

The much needed refresh of new snow was welcomed this last week.  Snow totals had quite the range- anywhere from 6 inches to nearly 2 feet across our forecast area.  In the elkhorns, there are reports of a thin rime crust capping the new snow- this has also been reported in the norway basin area from yesterday.   There were reports of dry loose avalanches around the elkhorns during and just after the storm.  In areas that have not seen the rime crust, be on the lookout for continued small dry loose avalanches especially on northerly aspects protected from the wind. 

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:

  • 8 AM-Kip Rand Memorial Race-Men’s and Women’s winners will receive either a season pass to Anthony Lakes or a $200 Cash prize.  
  • 10 AM Companion Rescue Clinic-led by WAC staff
  • 1 PM Snowpack Assessment Clinic-led by WAC Staff
  • 4 PM Disco Themed Dance Party and Raffle

February 6th:

  • WAC forecasting team led ski/splitboard tours into Angel Basin

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.

 

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