Unfortunately the primary hazard is running your skis, boards, snowmobile etc into underlying rocks, trees, stumps, etc. The extended dry period we've seen has diminished our snowpack. We measured 60cm or 2' at 7,600' yesterday on an East Aspect.
Strong temperature inversion this past week. Much colder temperatures at the parking lot 6,300' then at elevations above 7,000'. It was 3 degrees C at 7,600'.
We did not conduct any snowpack tests. Currently the snowpack looks good, with only snow from November found at this location. No basal facets (sugar) were observed at the ground, and snowpack is overall strong. Very large surface hoar forming under the inversion layer at 6,300', but this did not continue much past the parking lot.
Below photo was taken on 11/4 along Catherine Creek Lane (Western Wallowas) at 3,500', but very similar to what we observed yesterday at 6,300' in Elkhorns.
We skinned up the road, and then up the summer trail, eventually breaking off to head up East facing ridge of Van Patten.
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