Togwotee Pass

Weak layers are buried in the snowpack 1-3 feet deep across all aspects and elevations. Although these layers have become less reactive over time, triggering an avalanche that could bury a person is still possible on steep terrain where a slab exists over the weak layer. Evaluate the snowpack by observing signs of instability such as cracking and collapsing before committing to steep slopes.

Across all aspects and elevations persistent weak layers are buried 1-3 feet deep. Cold and mostly dry conditions in November created weak faceted snow on northerly aspects. Southerly aspects contain melt freeze crusts with poor bonding structure to the upper portion of the snowpack. These persistent weak layers are sensitive to triggering in areas containing a shallow snowpack with well developed facets including low to mid elevations. Although the entire snowpack contains weak structure, avalanches will be difficult to trigger without a slab. Additional areas with increased sensitivity will be where wind has stiffened the snowpack across all elevations creating hard slabs. Careful assessment of terrain will be necessary to identify where the combination of buried weak layers and slab formations exist.