Avalanche

Southern Wallowas: East Pine Creek

Caleb MerrillSouthern Wallowas
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Observation photo 1

Quick report

Collapsing
Observed

Heard reports of one collapse from an adjacent party today above Fish Lake at 7,000'

Weather

Air Temp
20
Cloud Cover
scattered
Wind Loading
none
Recent Snowfall
20
Snow Avail For Transport
moderate amounts

Light to Moderate snowfall in the morning through 10:30. Temperatures in the low to mid-twenties. Calm winds. 6-8" of new snow in last 36 hours.

Snowpack

Height of snow was 7 feet at 6800' Northeast Aspect.  There was 40 cm/16" of snow above the late January Rain Crust that was buried on February 1st.  The 16" of new snow was rightside-up and well bonded to the rain crust.  We did not get propagation in our Extended Column Test, but did get a non-propagating failure below the Rain Crust.  A layer of buried surface hoar was found 71 cm/28" from the snow surface, but it was not reactive in snowpack tests.  

Avalanche

It was hard not to see old persistent slab avalanches around the Fish Lake area. Likely natural avalanches from the January 21st cycle. See photos below.