Lawinenlagebericht

Togwotee Pass

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Lawinengefahr

Tue
Hochgebirge
2 · Mässig
Waldgrenze
Keine Stufe
Unterhalb
Keine Stufe
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Veraltet — dieser Lagebericht ist 3 years ago abgelaufen. Du siehst vergangene Verhältnisse, nicht den aktuellen Bericht.

Kernpunkte

Today, it is possible to trigger an avalanche large enough to bury a person in steep terrain above 9,000’. Avalanches will be most sensitive in wind loaded terrain. Snow depths remain shallow, increasing the chances of traumatic injury if caught in an avalanche.

Lawinenprobleme

  • Wind Slabs

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Possible
    Größe
    1–2

    An additional 2 inches of snow fell overnight. Moderate winds out the west/southwest were blowing in the mid 20’s (mph) at the upper elevations yesterday morning. Snow has been redistributed in exposed upper elevation terrain forming soft slabs up to a foot deep on some leeward (SE-E-NE-N) aspects. The most reactive slabs will be above 9700’ on terrain bordering the Teton Wilderness as well as ridgelines such as Two Oceans and Leidy. Watch out for areas where the snow feels “thicker” or “punchy” and avoid terrain with obvious wind drifts. Cracking and collapsing are obvious signs of instability.

    Evidence of wind loading yesterday. Note the wavy texture of the snow surface

    Photo: Noah McCorkel

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Possible
    Größe
    1–2

    Triggering a hard or soft slab avalanche 1-3 feet deep is possible in steep terrain. These avalanches are most likely to occur above 9,000’ on slopes where a dense slab overlays sugary, weak snow. Warming temperatures yesterday caused the snowpack to settle making the slabs more cohesive on all aspects. These slabs will be most sensitive in areas that are wind loaded. 

    Digging and probing are great ways to evaluate the snowpack. If your sled track continues to punch through a dense layer down to sugary snow near the ground, then chances are you’ve found a location where triggering a persistent slab avalanche is possible. While evaluating the snowpack can help identify problem areas, persistent slabs are unpredictable and dangerous. The best way to avoid triggering a large avalanche is to steer clear of steep, consequential terrain all together today.

    (12/7/2023)

Avalanche Discussion

Since December 1st, Togwotee Pass has received approximately 22” of snow with 1.8” of snow water equivalent (SWE). The new snow was deposited on top of a variety of weak surfaces that formed during the November drought and has settled into a cohesive slab. Moderate winds have redistributed snow from the past few days increasing the sensitivity of these slabs in leeward (SE-E-NE-N) terrain. Recent avalanche reports from Barber’s Point are proof that triggering a large avalanche on buried weak layers is possible. Beware of steep slopes, especially if they lead to terrain traps such creek beds, gullies, and tight trees. It doesn’t take much snow to bury a person in one of these locations. This photo, taken near Breccia Peak, is a good example of an avalanche that ran into a terrain trap. Evaluate the snowpack carefully before committing to a slope. Good riding can be found in sheltered, low angle terrain.

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