Avalanche forecast

Elkhorns

Wallowa Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 5 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Lingering wind drifted snow and cornices may remain in leeward terrain along upper ridgelines.  These areas should be avoided.   In your travels today, if you are seeing any redflags of instabilty such as rapid warming from the sun or temperature, cracks in the snow surface, strong over weak snow in your handpits or pole pokes, or signs of avalanche activity, choose more simple terrain with slope angles less than 35 degrees.  

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1

    Lingering and stubborn windslabs will remain along leeward ridgelines.   While they may not be very sensitive, it's always a good idea to maintain your ability to be surprised in the mountains.  Continue to avoid areas that have rounded and smooth pillowy snow surfaces or start zones that have a rippled snow texture.  Cornices have grown in the last week and should be given a wide berth.  They may break further back than expected, especially during times of warming temperatures.  

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1

    Look for evidence of wet loose avalanches during the warmest part of the day today.  As the snow surface warms from direct sun and warm temperatures, it may loose cohesion and start small wet loose avalanches.  These could occur in terrain steeper than 35 degrees near rocks and cliff bands that hold heat and warm the snow faster.  The can start as small point releases such as in the adjacent photo.  Other signs of wet loose activity include pinwheels of snow rolling down a steep slope.   While today's wet loose problem will likely not big enough to bury a person, a wet loose avalanche could certainly knock you off of your feet injuring you or carrying you over consequential terrain such as a cliff or into a group of trees.  

    (1/5/2022)

    This photo was taken during the warmup last week.  Surface snow is warm and wet at this location, has started a point release given the steep slope angle.  Point releases and pinwheels are telltale signs of wet loose avalanche activity. 

    Photo: cm

Avalanche Discussion

An inch or so of new snow yesterday afternoon has hopefully improved riding conditions a bit.  Under any new snow that my have fell, you can spin the wheel and see what you get for a snow surface:

  • Some areas have been blown clean down to the 1/6 rain crust that varies in thickness with elevation from a half inch to a quarter inch. 
  • In upper elevation terrain where slopes are in more leeward terrain, the rain crust can be found under a denser layer of wind packed snow. 
  • In more protected areas, this rain crust sits below a few inches of softer snow. 
  • Lower elevations and southerly/westerly aspects likely have a Melt Freeze Crust on the surface.  

Check out the snowpack structure from a protected area on Monday in the photo below.  Other photos included are from Angell Basin on Tuesday.  

A great way to spend some time while riding conditions may be less than ideal is to practice your avalanche rescue skills.   Make it fun, make it a friendly competition- and become a better riding partner.  

Please submit observations to the WAC site here.  Forecasters rely on your eyes out there to help paint a better picture.  Even just a photo of what you are seeing is extremely helpful.  Thanks! 

 

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