Elkhorns

New snow accompanied by wind will increase your chances of triggering an avalanche today.  In locations where fresh wind slabs have formed, or there's 8" or more of new snow look for signs of unstable snow like cracking and collapsing.  If you observe clues that the snowpack is unstable look for lower-angle terrain and avoid traveling beneath slopes with overhead hazards.  

This forecast is sponsored by Quickhatch Provisions in Joseph, OR.  

Weekend weather and snow:   Today snow totals will be the highest in the Elkhorns (7") and the Western Wallowas (8").  The Northern and Southern Wallowas should see lighter accumulations (2-4").  Winds increased last night, with moderate force and some strong gusts.   New snow and wind-drifted snow will rest on a variety of snow surfaces, depending on your elevation and aspect.  Last week's inversion left us with melt-freeze crusts on many solar aspects (S-W facing slopes).  Meanwhile on protected N-E aspects a variety of weak snow surfaces including facets and surface hoar will likely get covered with new snow, or drifted snow.  It's a good call to dig down and assess the depth of new or wind-drifted snow, and see what type of surface it's resting on.  

Observations:  Thanks to everyone who submitted an observation this season so far.  Your words and photos help our forecasting team immensely as we have many acres of ground to cover, with limited resources.  Photos are worth a million words and general information like snowpack depths at various elevations and aspects are huge.  WAC Forecasters have been getting out this week and have made observations in the Northern Wallowas, Southern Wallowas, Elkhorns and Blues.  

Scholarships:  Through the support of local businesses including Winding Waters River Expeditions, Eagle Cap Mountain Guides, The Avalanche Hour Podcast and the WAC we are currently offering submissions for 2 Motorized and 2 Non-Motorized scholarships.  These scholarships are to honor our avalanche forecasters Kip Rand and Nick Burks.  Submissions are due by December 15th, and if you've already signed up for a course with the WAC and receive a scholarship we'll refund your money.  You can apply the scholarship to an AIARE 1, 2, or rescue course offered by the WAC this winter.  Kip Rand Application Nick Burks Motorized Application 

Avalanche Awareness Presentations: 

• December 12th, 6 PM Outlaw Motorsports in Enterprise: Join WAC Forecasters in Enterprise for a Motorized Specific Avalanche Awareness night.  Bring your avalanche safety gear (transceiver, shovel, probe, airbag) as this will be a hands-on learning opportunity.  
• Blue Mountain Outfitters La Grande: Date TBD
• The Trailhead Baker City: Date TBD

Travel Advice: First off it's important to continue to reiterate that once you can stay off the ground with your equipment, there's enough snow to avalanche.  All of the early season snow, wind, weather conditions, etc have created different layers in the snowpack.  Some of these layers may be strong, while others may be weak and fragile.  A lot of the time, avalanches that we trigger, were very close to the tipping point and just needed a load to come crashing down.  You won't know what's under your feet unless you take the time to dig down into the snow and identify what's going on.  It can be fairly straightforward, or utterly complicated and that's the purpose of your local avalanche center.  If you do find strong snow, resting on top of weaker snow then you've found some of the ingredients for a slab avalanche.  

Preparation:  Preparing for a safe and fun winter in the mountains is similar to getting your vehicle ready for winter driving conditions.  You don't want to get caught out traveling over a mountain pass without your snow tires, chains, shovel, etc.  This is the time of year to track down all of your avalanche rescue gear and give it a thorough once-over.  Make sure your battery terminals aren't corroded in your transceiver, the cable in your probe isn't damaged, and the welds on your shovel look good.  Your airbag pack needs to have proper air pressure if you're using a canister, and it's wise to practice pulling your airbag at least once a season.  If you are using a fan-based airbag, then practice deploying and repacking numerous times.  

Avalanche Education Courses: This is a good time of the year to sign up for an avalanche class taught by the WAC.  We have a great selection of 1-Day rescue courses, AIARE 1 and 2 Courses for all user groups.  It's strongly recommended you take a Rescue Class every couple of seasons to force yourself to refresh this perishable skill.  Once there's decent snow coverage get out and practice your companion rescue skills, especially with your riding group.  Don't just stop at the Level 1 Course, as taking a Level 2 gives you two additional field days out with expert instructors to fine-tune your skills.