Fresh snow and wind will create wind slabs today. Look for cornices, pillows, and drifts for clues as to where these slabs are forming. These slabs may be forming on top of buried weak snow which could increase the size of any avalanche triggered. Avoid slopes over 30 degrees that are being loaded by the wind or if you have doubts about the underlying snowpack structure.
This forecast is sponsored by M. CROW – M. Crow (mcrowcompany.com)
West and Northwest winds with fresh snow will build new slabs today. These slabs could form over buried weak snow. If you find dense now over softer snow on a slope greater than 30 degrees the potential for an avalanche exists.
(2/14/2023)
Active wind loading during Monday's storm
Photo: cm
A layer of buried surface hoar that is now buried 2-3 feet was reactive to remote triggering last week. New wind slabs forming on top of this layer create a greater chance to trigger an avalanche. As these layers of surface hoar become more deeply buried, they can be difficult to see in your snowpit wall, so it is recommended to conduct a shovel shear test and/or extended column test to see if there are any failures on this layer. If you need to brush up on your snowpack test skills, here is a great resource. While this persistent weak layer may be at the upper reaches of being able to be triggered by a skier or snowboarder, it remains more possible for snowmachine to trigger this layer- especially in an area where the new snow has been stripped by wind.
(2/9/2023)
Photo of a remotely triggered persistent slab avalanche in the Southern Wallowas. This avalanche occurred on a northeast facing slope at 7600' . Avalanche occurred Wednesday or Thursday.
Avoid wind-loaded terrain. Use small inconsequential test slopes to test the reactivity of wind slabs using your skis or machine. Where shallow snowpacks exist (less than 4 feet), it is important to avoid areas that hold a cohesive slab above sugar snow. Avoid trigger points such as rocky convex rollovers with terrain steeper than 35 degrees. Be aware of avalanche paths that may be connected to areas with shallower snowpacks. Even in times of decreased avalanche hazard, continue to only expose one rider at a time to avalanche terrain, keep eyes on them, and regroup in safe locations out of the runout of any avalanche path.
A big thanks to all of the ski guides from Wallowa Alpine Huts and Eagle Cap Mountain Guides for your quality observations and collaboration that helps to build a more informed avalanche forecast.
