Latest News – Wallowa Avalanche Center

Which is which depends on where you are! I am presently in the Wasatch range of Utah where up to 10″ fell overnight. AND, looks like the Wallowas got 4 to 6″ perhaps? and maybe more on Friday too?

Very eventful and busy here with some play and some research work. As much as it’s sure fun to visit friends here and look at a different snowpack for comparison, I’m looking forward to returning home. Look for the latest summary as usual tomorrow morning (Friday) where Ken Bronec has been busy collecting all the data needed for the report and will be writing it in my absence. Thanks Ken!!!

I may issue a snowpack diagram comparison between Wasatch and Wallowa mtns in next weeks report for giggles.

Keith

Here is one final reminder that the Wallowa Avalanche Center is hosting a free transceiver practice day at Salt Creek Summit on Sunday, Feb 21. We will meet at 8:30 and carpool from the parking lot in Joseph, which is on the right side of the Imnaha highway a block east of Main Street. We plan to be done up there by 3:00 PM. The day will include some indoor discussion about search techniques and some hands-on transceiver drills. We will also set up practice scenarios for both beginner and more advanced transceiver users. We will be using our probes too, since they are a very important part of pinpointing the location of a buried individual.

So bring your transceivers and probes, along with lunch and water, and be ready for a day out on the snow. We will have extra transceivers and probes to loan out to those who do not yet have them.

It is important for us to know how many people are coming so we can prepare an efficient and educational day using the proper number of instructors. Please let Ken Bronec know (kbronec@eoni.com, 541-432-3281) by 7pm Friday evening 2/19 if you plan to attend and whether you need any loaner equipment.

We here at WAC are very appreciative of the kind support our community showed us last night at our first ever big event fundraiser. We did well, raising much needed funds to provide yet more great stuff for you on our website and within the community with educational products, observer data, summit weather data and the like.

We enjoy what we do and are glad we can provide this service to you. Perhaps when we get all the details collected and categorized from the whirlwind event of last night we’ll have more announcements of winners and so forth.

In the meantime – Our observers were busy little beavers last week and provided much data for today’s summary – so check it out!

Regards and a BIG THANKS to all our corporate sponsors (below) and our entire community who really stepped up with their wallets!

Keith

Yesterday a visit up to Wing Ridge yielded some fine turning snow in the trees and wind sheltered terrain. WAC has a bundle of good data this week from outings in various places. Concerns are not much different than last week. Check it all out on Friday.

Just one more day! Our Fund Raiser party and movie night at the OK Theater in Enterprise, tomorrow, February 11. It all starts at 6pm with beer, pizza, concessions, and raffle ticket purchases for an ever growing number of really good prizes. I’ve lost count of the stuff we have for raffle prizes! Really good stuff too!!! Buy tickets to get in the door for only $5. (kids 6 and under free) at The Bookloft, The Sports Corral, Central Copy and Shipping or at the DOOR!! Great TG beer for $4. a pint and pizza from Embers at $3. a slice. Can’t wait to see you there.

Coming up on Sunday February 21 is our field day session of avalanche beacon practice. This is a great opportunity to learn about what beacon to buy if you don’t already have one. A chance to REALLY learn how to use one up at Salt Creek Summit with an ever increasing level of search difficulty. Learn the best way to probe for a victim and efficient shoveling techniques. We want to have enough room for all to attend so please sign up at our fund raiser or jot us an email no later than Sunday February 14 that you’re coming. Please indicate if you need a loaner beacon for the day. Send email to info@wallowaavalanchecenter.org. We will likely meet at 8:30am at the Joseph rest area parking lot and carpool from there. More details will follow.

It’s just one week away!! Our BIG Fundraiser event with avalanche movies, raffles, beer and pizza. Thursday, February 11 at the OK Theater – 6pm. Tickets at the Bookloft, Sports Corral and Central Copy & Shipping or at the door; only $5. Click on the blue bar above for more info!

February 21st (Sunday) is our beacon practice day up on the Salt Creek Summit. Please sign up at info@wallowaavalanchecenter.org and also let us know if you need a loaner beacon.

Today on Wing Ridge the wind exposed terrain was a little wind hammered but the wind sheltered terrain and trees had great snow. Lots of details on this weeks summary – Friday as always!!

Enjoy and be safe!