Wind slabs and storm slabs (Southern Wallowas) are your biggest adversary today. Wind slabs will be primarily a concern above treeline, on leeward aspects (N-NE-NW). Remember all the new snow from this week is sitting on top of a hard rain crust, which is a great bed surface. Avalanche dangert will increase on Sunday as the wind start to pick up later today.
If you observe shooting cracks, dune like formations and wind drifted pillows you are staring at a wind slab. Use caution, as these wind slabs can pack a mean punch, especially if you cut one loose on the old rain crust from 1/12.
Storm slabs will primarily be a concern in the Southern Wallowas, which picked up another foot during the night of 1/28. There's significant new snow from this week in the Southern Wallowas, and it's resting on a stout rain crust from 1/12. You should either keep your angles low, or take the time to dig down and assess how well the new snow is bonding to the old crust.
The Southern Wallowas got nearly 3' of snow this week, as the SW flow favored this side of the Wallowas. With this much of a new load, the snowpack needs time to adjust. It's like doing squats at the gym, you add a little weight here and there and you can keep lifting the weight, but start adding 45lbs and you get crushed. The snowpack doesn't like sudden change. Give mother nature some time to adjust to her new load. Read WAC Forecaster, Michael Hatch's great observation of his finding in the Elkhorns here: Angel Basin Pro Ob
