Avalanche forecast

Togwotee Pass

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
No rating
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Out of date — this forecast expired 4 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Recent snow and wind combined with buried weak layers make human triggered avalanches possible in the upper elevations. These buried weak layers have a widespread distribution and most slopes may appear deceivingly stable. Take a cautious approach to manage this uncertainty and avoid areas with evidence of wind loading such as drifts and stiffened surfaces.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2

    Weak layers of snow formed in October, November, and December are buried 1-3 feet deep. These weak, sugary facets are widespread across most aspects and elevations with increased sensitivity in areas with firm cohesive slabs near the surface such as wind loaded terrain. The possibility of triggering these layers remotely from above, below, or cross-slope from a distance remains possible.

    (1/7/2023)

    Persistent slab avalanche. Split Rock Creek: 9000' NE aspect

Avalanche Discussion

The snowpack on Togwotee is beginning to develop into more favorable conditions for avalanches. Hard or soft slabs are finally forming near the top of the snowpack increasing the possibility of triggering persistent weak layers (PWL). The combination of wind slabs on PWLs is the main concern. We removed wind slabs from the avalanche problems thinking that these slabs will fail as persistent slabs. Identifying the quality and reactivity of these slabs above weak layers will be the best way to assess your terrain choices. In many instances, the choice that may seem less appealing but overall safer will be the more conservative one during persistent slab problems. 

 

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