Lawinenlagebericht

Togwotee Pass

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Lawinengefahr

Sat
Hochgebirge
1 · Gering
Waldgrenze
1 · Gering
Unterhalb
Keine Stufe
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Kernpunkte

Avalanche conditions are generally safe. Today's developing clouds and low temperatures will help keep the snowpack cool. Direct sun may cause small wet loose avalanches or cornice falls. While very unlikely, weak snow lingers at the base of the snowpack, and avalanches involving the weak snow cannot be completely ruled out. Watch for overhead hazards and steep slopes if the sun comes out or new snow becomes wet. 

Lawinenprobleme

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Triggering a persistent slab avalanche on weak snow buried 2-4 feet deep is very unlikely but not impossible. Suspect terrain includessteep, rocky, and wind-affected slopes on the north half of the compass. These areas contain thin, shallow spots where riders can impact weak layers. Use caution in steep terrain and give yourself a wide margin of error on slopes with high consequences or near terrain traps. The last known persistent slab avalanche occurred on 3/16 in Upper Deception Creek. On 3/19, a wet slab avalanche failing on these persistent weak layers occurred on Breccia.Similar wet slabs involving weak snow near the base of the snowpack will become possible again if the snowpack does not freeze for multiple days in a row.

    Cornices have grown large over the season. An observation from Brooks is a good example of this. Minimize the amount of time spent under slopes with looming cornices. Large falling chunks of cornice can act as very large triggers impacting deep weak layers. If you are on a ridge, remember that cornices break much further back than you might think.

    (4/13/2024) 

    A large, overhanging cornice near Brooks  Lake. This piece of cornice could act as a large trigger if it failed.

Avalanche Discussion

Cold temperatures remain through the Togwotee zone. These temperatures have allowed for a solid, refrozen snowpack on most aspects and elevations. The past 48 hours have also brought 2-4" of snow and light winds. Yesterday isolated clouds remained in place over Togwotee, limiting the amount of direct solar input on the snowpack. This trend is forecasted to continue today, with clouds building by the afternoon. With cloud cover and cold temperatures, wet loose avalanches are unlikely, but not impossible. If cloud cover fails to develop, a strong April sun will quickly heat the new snow increasing the possibility of wet loose avalanches. You are most likely to find these avalanches in steep solar terrain, near exposed rocks or trees, and where winds have transported additional snow. As you travel, pay attention to cloud cover and the snow surface. If you find surface snow starting to become wet, or you see other signs of warming such as roller balls and pinwheels, consider moving to lower-angle terrain, or aspects experiencing less solar input. 

This winter, the snowpack in the Togwotee region has been characterized by weak snow at the base and that will last throughout the season. High north-facing slopes have yet to transition to a stronger spring snowpack. Coincidentally, these slopes are where this problem has been at its worst. Therefore, persistent slab avalanches remain on the problem list even with a LOW danger rating. However, the likelihood of triggering, as well as the terrain in which these slides are possible has decreased to a point where “generally safe” avalanche conditions exist.

Remember that low danger does not mean no danger. Even a small avalanche can have large consequences especially where terrain traps exist. Pay attention to steep trees, cliff bands, open creek holes, exposed rocks, and gullies. These are all-terrain features where small avalanches have impactful consequences. As we come to the end of the season, continue your safe riding practices so as not to get caught off guard. 

BTAC will be issuing the final daily avalanche forecast on Saturday, April 20th but will continue with General Snow and Avalanche Information Bulletins two times per week until May. We will update the Big Sheet daily until June 1st.

 

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