Avalanche forecast

Elkhorns

Wallowa Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 4 years ago.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

Highlights

Persistent slabs on northwest, north, northeast, and east facing terrain at and below treeline is the avalanche problem we are most concerned about today. Evaluate the snow and terrain carefully if you are considering recreating on any terrain steeper than 30 degrees. If you are unsure about the stability of that steep slope, move to low angle slopes less than 30 degrees where you will find abundant high quality recreational opportunities.

 

Today's avalanche forecast  is sponsored by Wallowa County Gamblers.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    While ski touring in the Elkhorn mountains yesterday, I dug a snowpit at 8500' on an east facing slope that was 34 degrees steep. Buried 2' down from the surface was a 3/4" thick layer of surface hoar that, at first glance, was hard to find. Even though that layer proved to be unreactive while performing stability tests, it could be tested today if the forecasted 5"-9" of snow and moderate WNW winds materialize. Evaluate carefully any slope steeper than 30 degrees today that you are thinking about traveling on. Dig into the snow and see if you can find buried surface hoar or facet/crust combinations in your snowpit walls. Take the time to perform stability tests. If you are seeing propagation while performing an Extended Column Test, or sudden planar shears on your Compression Tests, these are glaring red flags that instability exists on the steep slope you are considering. Other red flags that warn of snowpack instability include the observance of avalanches, and whumpfing sounds as you are traveling through the terrain. Any red flag observed is a message from the dragon that it is time to get off of and out from under slopes steeper than 30 degrees. 

    (1/25/2023)

    A close up of what buried surface hoar looks like in a snowpit. Can you see the light gray line in this photo ? Surface hoar can be hard to see in certain lighting conditions. Surface hoar is a persistent grain type that causes a large percentage of fatal avalanches once it is buried in the snowpack, and we are seeing a lot of it throughout our forecast area.

    Photo: TG

  • Wind Slabs

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

    While ski touring in the Northern Elkhorns yesterday I also noticed north, northwest, and west winds blowing 15-25 MPH with occasional higher gusts at and above treeline and at ridgelines. Also, it was snowing off and on while on my tour, especially in the afternoon. Although I observed no windslab reactivity while on my ski tour, I think the potential exists today that windslab avalanches are possible above treeline on steep, leeward terrain. Suspect the possibility of triggering a sensitive windslab on any steep slope at and above treeline, and at ridgelines today. Evaluate snow conditions and terrain carefully before you commit to that steep slope.

    (1/10/2023)

    This photo was taken on a west facing terrain feature below treeline. The wind at this location was strong out of the southeast. The photo shows wind moving the snow, fresh cornice formation, and drifts and pillows on the leeward side of the ridge. These are all signs that windslabs are most likely present just down wind and down slope from the cornices.

    Photo: TG

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1–3

    We are still seeing poor snowpack structure in our snowpack in the form of basal facets and crust facet combinations near the ground. These deeply buried persistent grain types are still failing in snowpit stability tests so the deep persistent problem is still on the table. The likelihood of triggering one of these very dangerous avalanches is low but the consequences of doing so would be dire and involve most of the snowpack. A deep persistent avalanche can be triggered on steep terrain where the snowpack is thin and rocky. The best way to manage the risk is to stay off of and out from under slopes steeper than 30 degrees, especially near shallow rocky areas.

Avalanche Discussion

The 11 Annual Eastern Oregon Backcountry Festival is coming up.  Join us for our biggest fundraiser of the year February 3-5th. 

  • Friday, Feb 3rd: HQ in La Grande we are showing "Buried" the 1982 Alpine Meadows Avalanche.  Doors Open @ 5:30, Pie Auction 6:30, Movie starts at 7! Tickets are $5 at the door.
  • Saturday, Feb 4th: Kip Rand Memorial Race registerhere.  Winners will receive $100 cash or an Anthony Lakes season pass for 23/24.  Mens and womens division.   (You must show up 15 minutes before the race starts at the EOBF tent near the rental shop. )
  • Snow safety clinics 10 AM Avalanche Companion Rescue Clinic.  Register here.  
  • 1 PM Snowpack Observation Clinic.Register here.  Space is limited, reserve your spot.  (You must show up 15 minutes before the clinics start at the EOBF tent near the rental shop. ) 
  • Bag of Hammers 3 PM at the Star Bottle Saloon.  Live auction and raffle.  
  • On Sunday you can join the forecasters for a tour into Angel Basin.  Register Here.  

If you aren't able to make it out for the events you can support the WAC by purchasing raffle tickets or bidding on items in our online auctionhere.  The online auction and raffle will run from Jan 20th at Midnight to February 5th at 8PM.  

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