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The 13th annual Eastern Oregon Backcountry Festival is going to be the best one yet! We will host our annual film showing and fundraiser Friday night at HQ in La Grande while still offering an online auction through the month of December and January to raise funds for the Wallowa Avalanche Center. For Saturday events more up to Anthony Lakes where we’ll have the Kip Rand Memorial Backcountry Race, host several free snow safety clinics throughout the day, and have live music by Wanderlost in the Main Lodge at 3:30pm. On Sunday, join WAC forecasters for a tour into the A-Lakes backcountry to assess snow conditions and learn about the local terrain. The event is a collaboration between the Outdoor Adventure Program, Anthony Lakes Mountain Resort, and Wallowa Avalanche Center.
All the events on Saturday and Sunday are free to attend and participate in. All the fundraising is for the Wallowa Avalanche Center (WAC) and we want people to know that even small donations can make a big difference in helping us promote safe and informed decision-making in the backcountry of Northeast Oregon.
A special thanks goes out to this year’s local festival sponsors: Anthony Lakes Mountain Resort, Eastern Wheelworks, Eagle Cap Mountain Guides, Blue Mountain Outfitters, and Union County Chamber of Commerce for their support.
We have received tremendous support from the backcountry community and local businesses! Here are a few of the FANTASTIC auction items we’ll have for 2024:
Check out all the fabulous auction items here – 32 Auctions
This event kicks off the festival and is a fabulous opportunity for the backcountry community to come together, enjoy a night of film, friends, fundraising, food, and beer. This event is supported by our local brewery and food vendors. A live pie auction will take place prior to the film, so grab grandma’s recipe and bake away! Doors open at 6pm; pie auction at 6:30pm; & show starts at 7pm. Cost is $10 for adults and $5 for kids under 10.
After mingling with friends, getting a local beer and slice of pizza, prepare yourself for the pie auction to raise funds for the WAC. Dust off the old family recipes and excite us with your phenomenal baking skills. We need pie donations galore!
Calm Beneath Castles is an awe-inspiring ski movie that delves into the heart, soul, and mind of skiers driven by an insatiable thirst for adventure and discovery. It explores the essence of finding solace in nature and being one with the mountains. Following the world’s best skiers to breathtaking locations, it captures their quirks, instincts, and passion as they prepare and take on the mountain. Matchstick Productions
Calm Beneath Castles is an awe-inspiring ski movie that delves into the heart, soul, and mind of skiers driven by an insatiable thirst for adventure and discovery. It explores the essence of finding solace in nature and being one with the mountains. Following the world’s best skiers to breathtaking locations, it captures their quirks, instincts, and passion as they prepare and take on the mountain.
On Saturday, all events will take place at or near Anthony Lakes Mountain Resort. The race is in loving memory of past WAC Director, Kip Rand. Kip perished in a cornice fall accident in 2016 while touring in the Wallowas. We honor Kip’s charisma, thoughtfulness, limitless energy, and enduring passion for the outdoors.
Kip Rand Memorial Backcountry Race, 8am: This several mile backcountry race is in memory of our dear friend and past WAC director, Kip Rand. This race is open to all skill levels and abilities, along with all snow slide types including AT and Telemark skiers and split boarders. There is a men’s and women’s division. Whatever race equipment you start out with is the race equipment you must cross the finish line with. Winners of the men’s and women’s division receive a $100 cash prize. Participants MUST check-in at the EOBF tent on south side of rental shop 15 minutes before the clinic.
To register sign up here – Kip Rand Backcountry Race Registration
Avalanche Companion Rescue Clinic, 10am: This clinic will focus on proper use of avalanche gear – beacon, shovel, and probe – and how to organize and carry out an effective and efficient companion rescue. Space is limited.
To register sign up here – ACR Clinic
Snow Pack Observation Clinic, 1pm: WAC staff will spend time in the Anthony Lakes backcountry demonstrating skills and tests useful in identifying unstable layers and their subsequent sensitivity to human triggering. Space is limited.
To register sign up here – SPO Clinic
Sign up for these clinics for these clinics at the links above. Participants MUST check-in at the EOBF tent on south side of rental shop 15 minutes before the clinic.
For these clinics you will need a way to move around on the snow – either with a backcountry set-up or with a pair of snowshoes. The OAP and WAC will have snow safety gear (beacons, shovels, and probes) available for your use during the clinics if you don’t have your own gear.
Wanderlost, 3:30pm, Main Lodge: Come dressed in your most outlandish outfit and let your inner diva shine. We’ll have the amazing and fun Wanderlost playing in the Main Lodge. You’ll dance, we’ll give away awesome prizes, you’ll be stoked, we’ll award the best dressed, and you’ll be so happy you supported your local avalanche center.
BC Tour, 9am: On Sunday, WAC forecasters will be leading several small tour groups into the Anthony Lakes backcountry to evaluate conditions and show folks the great local terrain options.
To register for the ski tour go to – WAC Forecaster Tour. Due to limited staffing, the tour will be capped at 12 participants on a first to register basis.
We will meet on the south side of the rental shop at 9am sharp.
Accommodation
We are pleased to offer a 15% discount on accommodations at Sunridge Inn in Baker City if you need a place to stay during the festival. You can reach Sunridge Inn at 541-423-6444 or visit register directly at https://www.bestwestern.com/en_US/book/hotel-rooms.38183.html?groupId=9B3GG7W5
Additional Info
For more information contact Michael Hatch at 541-962-3621 or mhatch@eou.edu. To learn about the Wallowa Avalanche Center visit www.wallowaavalanchecenter.org or contact WAC Director, Victor McNeil at victor@wallowaavalanchecenter.org
Dec. 15, 2024 – Feb. 2, 2025 – Online Auction
Online auction to benefit and raise funds for the Wallowa Avalanche Center. Amazing prizes, equipment, and services from local businesses and sponsors will be available. To join in the fundraising fun visit 32 Auctions
Friday, Jan. 31 – Matchstick Productions “Calm Beneath Castles” Showing and Fundraiser @ HQ in La Grande.
6 p.m. – Doors open: pizza and beer available for purchase
6:30 p.m. – Pie Auction: Dust off the old family recipes and excite us with your phenomenal baking skills.
7:00 p.m. – Matchstick Productions film “Calm Beneath Castles“. Get ready for epic descents and radical lines!
Saturday, Feb. 1 – Anthony Lakes Mountain Resort
8:00 a.m. – Festivities start out with the Kip Rand Memorial Backcountry Race. (Meet at the EOBF tent on south side of rental shop)
10:00 a.m. – Avalanche Companion Rescue Clinic at Anthony Lakes. (Meet at EOBF tent on south side of rental shop)
1:00 p.m. – Snow Pack Observation Clinic: snow profiles and stability tests in the AL backcountry. (Meet at EOBF tent on south side of rental shop)
3:30 p.m. – Wanderlost plays in the Main Lodge. Come dressed in your most outlandish outfit and prepare to dance your pants off!
Sunday, Feb. 2 – Elkhorn Mountains
9 a.m. – Join WAC forecasters on a tour of Angell Basin near A-Lakes. They’ll show you some helpful techniques for evaluating the local snowpack and good touring options. (Meet at EOBF tent south of the rental shop 15 min before the tour)
Kip Rand Memorial Backcountry Race Results for 2/6/22
Kip Rand Memorial Backcountry Race Results for 2/8/20
1. Mark Hauter – 42:25 2. Aaron Maxwell – 44:53 3. John Orland – 52:38
9. Raphaela Hsh-Flanders – 113:45
Kip Rand Memorial Backcountry Race Results – 1/28/19
1. Devin Calvin – 35:53 2. Mark Hauter – 38:44 3. Allan Ottman – 39:50 9. Jessica Barker – 43:18
Outdoor Adventure ProgramFieldhouse 125Phone: 541-962-3621Email: outdoor@eou.edu Rental Shop Hours: Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri : 12-5pmClimbing Center Hours: Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri : 12-9pm, Sat: 11am-7pm