Bollettino valanghe

Elkhorns

Wallowa Avalanche Center
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Pericolo valanghe

Fri
Alta quota
2 · Moderato
Limite del bosco
2 · Moderato
Sotto il limite
1 · Debole
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In sintesi

Small dry loose avalanches will be likely today in terrain steeper than 35 degrees.  To avoid any issues involving these avalanches, avoid riding this steeper terrain if it is above a terrain trap such as a cliff, gully, or dense trees.  There is plenty of snow to be transported by the wind, and wind slabs may develop as winds increase out of the Southwest throughout today.  Look for evidence of wind loading and avoid wind-loaded start zones.  

This forecast is sponsored by Eagle Cap Mountain Guides, based out of La Grande. 

Problemi valanghivi

  • Loose Dry

    • Alta quota
    • Limite del bosco
    • Sotto il limite del bosco
    Probabilità
    Likely
    Dimensione
    1–1.5

    The Elkhorns received 8-10" of new light-density snow Monday into Tuesday.  Observers in the zone yesterday were able to easily trigger Dry Loose avalanches on Northerly aspects in terrain steeper than 35 degrees.  While pretty small in size, these avalanches can have greater consequences if they carry you over a cliff, into a gully, or drag you through dense trees.  Avoid riding steep terrain above terrain traps.   

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alta quota
    • Limite del bosco
    • Sotto il limite del bosco
    Probabilità
    Possible
    Dimensione
    1–2

    If the forecasted SSW winds pan out today, wind slabs could be building along Northwest through North through Northeast ridgelines and cross-loaded mid-slope terrain features.  Look for patterns of wind loading and clues to wind-loaded slopes as you travel through the mountains today.  Visual clues include rounded and smooth-looking deposits of snow.  Look for corniced ridgelines and windward areas that are stripped of new snow.  Avoid traveling in wind-loaded start zones to reduce your risk of triggering a wind slab.  

    (2/14/2023)

    Active wind loading during Monday's storm 

    Photo: cm

Avalanche Discussion

Observers in the Elkhorns over the past week have been seeing a snowpack that has overall good stability.  Small Loose Dry avalanches will be the primary problem today in terrain steeper than 35 degrees.  The 6-10" of new snow that fell Monday into Tuesday has been reported to be bonding well to the old snow surface in most locations.  Use quick hand pits throughout your travels to test the bonding of the New/Old interface and expect it to bond less well on solar aspects where a Melt Freeze Crust may exist from before the recent storm. 

The pesky layers of buried surface hoar that we have been tracking for the last month seem to be laying down in most locations and gaining strength.  Yesterday, forecasters did not observe any wind slabs in the Angell Basin area, but this could change with an increase of winds out of the SSW today combined with ample new snow available for transport.  

Here's the takehome as our snowpack continues to gain strength:  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.  

Check out recent observations from the Elkhorns here and here. 

Thank you for your recent observations...you are adding valuable information to our forecasts.  Keep 'em comin'! 

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