Boletín de aludes

Togwotee Pass

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Peligro de aludes

Thu
Alta montaña
2 · Moderado
Límite del bosque
2 · Moderado
Bajo el límite
Sin grado
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Desactualizado: este boletín caducó 2 years ago. Estás viendo condiciones pasadas, no el boletín vigente.

Lo esencial

It remains possible today to trigger a large avalanche up to 2 feet thick on very steep slopes greater than 35 degrees. Avalanches could also break deeper than you expect into older, weak layers closer to the ground. Evaluate every steep slope carefully with an eye toward thin spots like rocky outcrops and around wind-affected areas where the weight of a single rider could impact buried weak layers. You may not see cracking or collapsing before triggering an avalanche. If you are unsure, seek out sheltered lower-angle terrain where you will also find the best riding.

Problemas de aludes

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alta montaña
    • Límite del bosque
    • Bajo el límite del bosque
    Probabilidad
    Possible
    Tamaño
    1.5–2.5

    Triggering a large avalanche up to 2 feet thick is possible where weak layers have been buried since the beginning of February. The current slab sits on a variety of weak surfaces, including crusts on solar aspects and facets on shady aspects, and could be sensitive to the weight of a rider or snowmobile. You are most likely to trigger an avalanche on steep rocky slopes and areas where wind deposited snow (stiff pillows and drifts) from the last storm into firm slabs. Specifically, consider where the overlying slab might be thin and where you can more easily impact weak layers below - such as around the margins of wind-loaded slopes. Large triggers like snowmobiles, cornices, and small avalanches in more recent snow will increase the likelihood of triggering a large avalanche. Dig down and investigate layers in the top two feet of the snowpack but keep in mind that buried weak layers from the January dry period will be as deep as 4 feet and will not show any signs of instability like cracking or collapsing until an avalanche is triggered.

    The likelihood of impacting layers 4 feet deep is less, but continue to travel safely by going one at a time around steep avalanche terrain and spacing out around terrain traps like creek beds and gullies.

    (2/11/2025)

    The crown of the recent unintentionally-triggered avalanche on the E face of Lava ~10,400'.

    While unlikely that you will trigger an avalanche this large, it is a good reminder of the current situation involving buried weak layers and high consequences.

    Photo: Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center

Avalanche Discussion

Since the beginning of January, snowpacks across the state have nearly doubled. Recent snowfall has fallen on older, weak snow from January (~3-4 deep), in addition to a recent interface consisting of crusts/facets in the top portion of the snowpack (1-2 feet deep). This layer in the upper snowpack is the primary concern and remains reactive, although it is becoming less likely with time. While the snowpack adjusts to the most recent loading, continue to evaluate steep slopes carefully and identify where wind deposited snow over the last 12 days. Continue to look for recent avalanches, cracking in the surface, and large collapses. However, we will see fewer of these clues going forward - chances are you will trigger an avalanche without seeing any signs beforehand.

If you are uncertain whether a steep slope could avalanche and don’t want to dig to investigate weak layers, consider the consequences if you are on that slope, and it avalanches - I am certain that there are few good outcomes getting caught in a large avalanche or even a small avalanche in a terrain trap.

Please consider submitting an observation HERE. Observations allow everyone to gain a better and more complete understanding of conditions. Thanks!

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