Lawinenlagebericht

Togwotee Pass

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Lawinengefahr

Mon
Hochgebirge
2 · Mässig
Waldgrenze
2 · Mässig
Unterhalb
Keine Stufe
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Veraltet — dieser Lagebericht ist 8 months ago abgelaufen. Du siehst vergangene Verhältnisse, nicht den aktuellen Bericht.

Kernpunkte

Triggering a large avalanche failing on buried weak layers is possible in steep terrain. Signs of instability may not be present before these avalanches are triggered. Increased wind last night will build slabs that will add stress to these weak layers on wind loaded terrain.

Lawinenprobleme

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Possible
    Größe
    1.5–2.5

    Weak layers formed earlier in the season are buried beneath hard slabs 2-3 feet deep. In heavily wind affected terrain, these slabs could be over four feet deep. These weak layers have persisted over time meaning that they can be triggered without a significant load of snow or wind adding stress. Slopes where the overlying slab is thinner and easier to impact will be where human triggered avalanches are most likely. This includes heavily wind affected and scoured slopes in the alpine as well as shallow slopes above terrain traps. The last human triggered persistent slab avalanche was four days ago in Maverick Creek.

     

    A rider had a very close call December 31, 2025. This avalanche illustrates the difficulty in pinpointing where you can trigger deeper weak layers. Note that this seems to be a shallow area, making it easier to trigger a weak layer.

  • Wind Slabs

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Possible
    Größe
    1–1.5

    It will be possible to trigger soft slabs 6-12 inches due to increased wind and snowfall last night that will continue today. Watch for fresh slabs formed in upper elevation terrain exposed to the wind. Human triggered avalanches will be more likely above treeline.

    Watch for shooting cracks as a clear sign of unstable, wind drifted snow. 

    (12/27/2025)

Avalanche Discussion

The incoming storm is not expected to produce as much snowfall on Togwotee as the other forecast zones. 2 inches of snow fell overnight with another 4 inches possible by the end of the day. Wind intensity increased drastically last night, transporting new and old snow into small, fresh slabs. Watch for these slabs to increase in size throughout the day. Look for shooting cracks, textured snow surfaces, or drifts as signs of unstable wind drifted snow. 

The main concern today will be weak layers buried deeper in the snowpack stressed by increased loading from snow and wind. Togwotee has remained significantly colder and as a result the facets formed in November have been preserved making them easier to trigger than other forecast zones. Warm temperatures recently have changed the characteristics of the overlying slab and the snowpack is adjusting to that change. It is still early in the season. The best way to manage the current problem is to give the mountains time to heal and avoid stepping into steep, complex terrain.

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