EASTERN OREGON — The Wallowa Avalance Center’s annual fundraising bash is coming up at the end of January.

The 13th annual Backcountry Festival is Jan. 31 to Feb. 2 with events in both La Grande and at Anthony Lakes Mountain Resort.

Also, an online auction is live and bids will be accepted through Feb. 2. View and bid at www.32auctions.com/EOBF2025.

The auction features Spark R&D Splitboard bindings and skins, Season Nexus Skis, a pair of Rocky Talkie Mountain backcountry radios, a guided day of backcountry skiing for four people in the southern Wallowas donated by Eagle Cap Mountain Guides, a mountain bike shuttle day for five people in La Grande donated by Grande Ronde Gravity with lunch provided by Liberty Theatre Cafe, and two mountain bike demos donated by Eastern Wheelworks.

Pie Auction

The festival begins Friday, Jan. 31, with a pie auction and screening of “Calm Beneath Castles,” a ski film produced by Matchstick Productions.

Doors open at 6 p.m. at HQ, 112 Depot St. The pie action is at 6:30 p.m., followed by the film at 7 p.m. Admission is $10 adults and $5 for kids younger than 10.

About that auction — pies are needed. Any bakers who would like to donate a pie can email Rex Stanley at rex@wallowaavalanchecenter.org.

Backcountry Race

On Saturday, Feb. 1, activities move to Anthony Lakes Mountain Resort.

The Kip Rand Memorial Backcountry Race starts at 8 a.m. Find the registration link at wallowaavalanchecenter.org.

There are three entry options:

• Race registration only: $25
• Race registration and WAC hat: $50
• Race registration, WAC hat and WAC donation: $75

This event is in memory of Kip Rand, a past WAC director who died in a cornice fall accident in 2016 while touring the Wallowa Mountains. The race is open to all skill levels and abilities, and there will be divisions for men and women.

Clinics

Saturday also features two free clinics.

The avalanche companion rescue clinic starts at 10 a.m. Participants will learn the proper use of avalanche gear — beacon, shovel and probe — and how to organize an effective companion rescue.

The snowpack observation clinic is at 1 p.m. WAC staff will spend time in the Anthony Lakes backcountry demonstrating skills and tests that help identify unstable layers.

Space is limited for both clinics — register in advance at https://tinyurl.com/3y84udpf.

Participants must check in at the EOBF tent near the rental shop 15 minutes before each clinic, and have either a backcountry setup or a pair of snowshoes.

Saturday culminates with live music by Wanderlost from 3-6 p.m. in the Starbottle Saloon.

Backcountry tour

On Sunday, Feb. 2, WAC forecasters will host a free guided tour in the backcountry at Anthony Lakes at 9 a.m. All ages and abilities are encouraged to attend, although space is limited. Find the registration link at https://tinyurl.com/3y84udpf.

Wallowa Avalanche Center

The Wallowa Avalanche Center started in 2009 The center’s forecasters issue forecasts Thursday through Sunday for each of four zones in Northeastern Oregon — Northern Blue Mountains, Elkhorns, Northern Wallowas and Southern Wallowas.

The center depends on grants, donations and fundraising events.

“All of the money raised at the Backcountry Festival goes to the general fund for avalanche forecasts, analysis of snowpack and education and awareness events,” said Rex Stanley, WAC development director.

In addition to the avalanche forecasts, those who venture into the backcountry are encouraged to add observations to the WAC website that details conditions, sites of avalanches and photos.

“We like to see what people are seeing out in the field,” Stanley said. “It’s a really helpful tool.”

To submit an observation, go to wallowaavalanchecenter.org and click on Observations at the top of the page.

The WAC offers clinics around Eastern Oregon on companion rescue, motorized rescue, snowmobiling skills and avalanche training. For upcoming courses, visit the website and click on Education.