Bulletin d’avalanche

Elkhorns

Wallowa Avalanche Center
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Danger d’avalanche

Sat
Alpin
2 · Modéré
Limite forestière
2 · Modéré
Sous la limite
1 · Faible
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Périmé — ce bulletin a expiré 7 months ago. Vous consultez des conditions passées, pas le bulletin en cours.

Points saillants

As temperatures rise today, so will the avalanche hazard.  Use caution when travelling near or beneath rock and cliff bands that are likely to warm the snow faster. If the snow feels wet and heavy, or you notice rollerballs and sluff around you, choose less steep terrain.

This forecast is sponsored by Outlaw Motorsports in Enterprise, OR.  

Problèmes avalancheux

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpin
    • Limite forestière
    • Sous la limite forestière
    Probabilité
    Possible
    Taille
    1–2

    Above freezing temperatures will increase the likelyhood of triggering a wet-loose avalanche. You are most likely to experience wet, unconsolidated snow on sunny aspects, but recent temperature inversions mean it's possible that there are pockets of terrain on other aspects that have not gotten below freezing for several days. Without the opporunity to refreeze, snow can lose it's cohesive strength and it is possible you could trigger a wet loose avalanche up to a foot deep in isolated places. 

    Surface conditions will likely vary a great deal today so plan to keep your head on a swivel. As you travel, keep vigilant of the aspect and time of day,  and if you find yourself sinking deeper into soft-wet snow, choose less steep terrain. 

    Photo: Caleb Merrill

    Rock bands and cliffs can warm the surrounding snow and are common initiation zones for wet-loose avalanches like this. Give these features plenty of space, particularly later in the day.

Avalanche Discussion

While this week's warming trend is the most obvious culprit for the decrease in our stability, we are still wary of some of the crust layers in our snowpack. Concerning structure has been found about a foot down (the 1/3 crust) in the Elkhorns with two thin, melt-freeze crusts sandwiching a layer of weak snow grains. We have gotten unsettling, but inconsistent test results on this layer and have not seen any natural or human-triggered avalanches on this layer as of yet. If you plan to travel into upper elevations or consequential terrain, it is always prudent to take the time to dig and assess the snow structure where you are. If you find a consolidated slab of snow over a softer layer, it may be a reason to dial back your terrain choices.

Southern Wallowas 1/15, Elkhorns 1/11, Northern Wallowas 1/11

Help us paint the picture this week.  Please send us an observation!  Notable information includes what temperatures and snow surface textures you experience, the depth of any crusts, and the hardness of the snow above and below these crusts, as well as the amounts of snow you encounter at various elevations.  

14th Annual Eastern Oregon Backcountry Festival Jan 30-Feb 1

Friday, January 30th: HQ (110 Depot Street) in La Grande, Pie auction and ski flick!  Doors open at 5:30 PM, Pie Auction at 6:30, and the movie starts at 7:00. Matchstick Productions film "After the Snowfall" at HQ in La Grande. Tickets are $15 at the door; kids are free. If you would like to bring a pie or dessert, email Rex Stanley, [email protected] 

Saturday, January 31st: Join us at Anthony Lakes Mountain Resort for a full day of activities. Kip Rand memorial race kicks off at 8 AM, followed by a Companion Rescue Clinic at 10 AM and a Snow Science Clinic at 1 PM. We'll have a raffle and live auction in the main lodge in conjunction with music from High Pine Whiskey Yell later in the afternoon.  (You must pre-register for the race and clinics.)

Sunday, February 1st:  Tour with the WAC forecasters and staff. You must pre-register to attend, and spots are limited.  

Volunteers and raffle/auction items needed:  If you would like to volunteer, please email [email protected]. We are always looking for items to raffle and auction, and they don't have to relate directly to skiing or snowmobiling.  Please reach out if you have an item you'd like to donate.  

Snowmobile Riding Clinic for Snow Professionals Feb 26-27

If you are a snow professional who’s interested in building your snowmobile skills and technique, or are looking to advance to the next level, the Wallowa Avalanche Center is offering a 2-day clinic on February 26-27.  This clinic is open to Avalanche Forecasters, ski patrollers, ski guides, and other industry professionals.  Click here to learn more.  

Régions couvertes