Togwotee Pass

Problemas de aludes

• 

  Wind Slabs

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

  • Alta montaña
  • Límite del bosque
  • Bajo el límite del bosque

  Probabilidad

  Possible

  Tamaño

  1–2

  Up to 13” of snow has fallen over the past 48 hours in the Togwotee area. Southwest and northerly winds have formed slabs 1-2 feet deep on a variety of aspects at upper elevations. These slabs could be sensitive to the weight of a rider in very steep terrain. While becoming less likely, older wind slabs with depths up to 3 feet could be triggered in heavily loaded areas along ridgelines and near the base of cliffs. Be on the lookout for signs of instability within the new snow, including cracking and recent avalanche activity. If these signs are present, move to lower-angle slopes. Giving very steep and wind-loaded features a wide margin is the best way to manage this problem today.

  Today will be the first day of sunshine since snow began on the 13th. While temperatures on Togwotee will remain cold, the strong March sun will be enough to trigger small, wet loose avalanches on very steep south, and southwest slopes later in the day. These avalanches could easily catch you off guard and knock you off your sled or skis. If you see rollerballs or pinwheels, move to shadier slopes and minimize the time you spend underneath very steep sunny terrain.

  

• 

  Deep Persistent Slabs

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

  • Alta montaña
  • Límite del bosque
  • Bajo el límite del bosque

  Probabilidad

  Possible

  Tamaño

  1.5–3

  Weak layers of sugary facets exist in the middle of the snowpack and near the ground on most slopes. Avalanches involving these layers will be 2-3 feet deep, and up to 5 feet deep on heavily wind-affected slopes. Triggering one of these dangerous avalanches is possible on very steep slopes over 35 degrees. Signs of instability such as cracking, collapsing, or recent avalanches may not be present before triggering a large avalanche capable of propagating long distances. Multiple tracks on a slope do not indicate stability with this problem type. Suspect terrain includes very steep, rocky, and/or wind-affected slopes where thin spots exist, making it possible for humans to impact buried weak layers.

  Recent snow and wind are stressing these buried weak layers and increasing the likelihood of triggering a persistent slab avalanche. Wind slabs triggered on the surface could step down to deeper weak layers resulting in a larger avalanche than expected.