Tetons

At the mid and upper elevations soft surface slabs will increase in depth and extent as the day progresses. These surface slabs could reach depths of three feet and lie upon slick crusts and weak layers of buried surface hoar. In addition deeper buried weaknesses persist. Yesterday three alpine skiers who left the boundary of the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort triggered a relatively small avalanche (one foot deep crown) in a cliffband above the Green River Traverse. All were swept over a large cliff. One died. Backcountry travellers are likely to trigger these surface slabs and could trigger deep slabs in steep wind loaded avalanche prone terrain. Natural avalanches are possible. At the lower elevations a few very active avalanche paths like the Cow of the Woods in Hoback Canyon may slide. Caution and good terrain evaluation skills are essential for safe travel in avalanche terrrain today.