The snowpack is weak. Skiers and could trigger shallow avalanches that involve just recent in high elevation terrain or avalanches involving the failure of deeper weak layers at both the mid and high elevations. A recent slide was reported in Split Rock Creek. This avalanche is indicative of the weak snowpack that is widespread throughout the terrain on Togwotee Pass. Avoid steep avalanche terrain, especially where large events could occur or where small events can have serious consequences such terrain that leads into gullies or depressions.
Weak, sugarry snow is well preserved near the base of the snowpack. Avalanches involving these layers could still occur by the presense of a single person or after a slope has been tracked and a weak point it impacted. Slabs could be hard or soft and are likely to have depths of approximately a foot near 7500' to as much as 3 feet at 10,000'.
(1/7/2023)
Small wind slabs could be triggered in steep high elevation terrain. These soft slabs could have depth to a foot and if triggered are likely to pull out deeper layers within the snowpack.
Although wind slabs on their own can be found in high elevation terrain where recent snow lies over firm snow surfaces, the primary concern is the weak snow near or at the base of the snowpack. This problem is widespread and in areas that are starting to feel more supportive due to wind loading or simply due to deeper depths, the deeper instability may be masked. Use a cautious approach to avalanche terrain.
Note the avalanche event table and map is now populating. It can be found on the "avalanche event archive" link on the Observation tab or by going to:
https://bridgertetonavalanchecenter.org/avalanche-events/
