Southern Wallowas

Two weeks of mostly benign weather has allowed the snowpack to settle and strengthen. Warm temperatures today ahead of an approaching cold front will allow for the possibility of encountering wet loose avalanches on steep >35 degree slopes at lower elevations and at upper elevations on southerly aspects. If you witness roller balls shedding off the slopes or find yourself punching into the snowpack more than a foot or so, then it may be a good idea to stay off and out from under steep slopes. Increasing southerly winds throughout the day may build shallow pockets of reactive wind slab on >35 degree slopes on NW-NE aspects in the alpine. 

The first couple weeks of March have been fairly benign as far as major weather events go. The snowpack stability has been pretty good as of lately. Folks were getting out and riding fairly steep and exposed lines throughout the Wallowas and Elkhorns. It was as we like to call it...go time! But...weather and snowpack are fickle things and changing conditions warrant changes to our thought and decision-making processes. This next week looks to be an active one with a series of shortwave systems pushing through our forecast area. Any new snow will be falling on varied surfaces and will likely not bond well to slick melt-freeze crusts on sun-exposed slopes and wind-hardened features in the alpine. Don't let the last couple of weeks lull you into being complacent. Remain curious about potential avalanche problems. As we move into spring the increased solar radiation and heat can rapidly increase instability on southern exposures and on slopes at lower elevations...say 5000' and below. If we get several nights without a significant freeze expect wet slides to be a major concern. Timing is crucial. Make sure you are off sun-affected slopes before they become unstable. Also, avoid large overhanging cornices and give them a lot of respect. This is the time of year when cornices start to break, and they can roll onto the ridge and pull off much more snow than you realize.  Make sure you are on terra firma - solid ground.  Now to wind slabs: If the winds pick up and there is snow available for transport reactive pockets of wind slab will be an issue on leeward terrain features in the alpine. Keep your avalanche senses sharp, people. Springtime is a glorious time for big skiing objectives. However, remain humble, give the mountains the respect they deserve, and always approach the snowpack with curiosity. What you don't know...that is the problem. Seek answers on the snow surface and below. Live to ride and ride like you want to live.