Avalanche forecast

Togwotee Pass

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
No rating
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Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Weak layers buried beneath as much as 3 feet of snow will make triggering a large avalanche possible above primarily 9200’. These weak layers are still sensitive even with warming temperature trends. Be aware that the unpredictable nature of this type of avalanche problem requires safe terrain choice to steer clear of steep slopes, especially above terrain traps.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Poor snowpack structure exists fairly widespread on Togwotee where weak facets are buried beneath a cohesive slab making avalanches possible. If triggered, hard slab depths will be 1-3 feet with higher volumes found in upper elevations above 10,000’ in wind loaded terrain. Due to strong wind events, the snowpack depth varies significantly across different aspects above 9000’. Therefore, previous tracks are not a good indication of slope stability. All it takes is hitting that one sensitive spot to trigger the entire slope. Be suspicious of any terrain where the consequences of triggering an avalanche are high such as steep slopes above terrain traps. Do not let the stubborn character of these avalanches deter your judgment. Practice safe terrain choice. 

    We’ve issued a danger rating for terrain below 9000’ for the first time all season to highlight the problems listed above now that terrain is more accessible via groomed trails.

    (12/7/2023)

    This persistent slab avalanche that occured on Barbers Point is a great example of steep terrain to avoid above trees and hazards where consequences are high. 

Avalanche Discussion

Patience

A series of storms starting Dec 1st added 22 inches of snow and 1.8 inches of snow water equivalent to the snowpack. All this new snow sits above weak, sugary facets formed during drought conditions in November highlighted as the persistent slab above. These types of avalanche problems are difficult to manage as these layers become more and more stubborn during dry and warm conditions. This stubborn reactivity also means there will be less obvious signs of instability. So how do you manage this problem? Patience. The variability of the overall snowpack on Togwotee makes me suspicious of every steep slope where the consequences of triggering an avalanche are high. On Tuesday we snowmobiled through a lot of terrain above 10,000 and confirmed this variability. One aspect may have 12 inches of total snow while another slope a hundred yards away has almost four feet! Therefore predicting which slopes are more sensitive to triggering is tough. We do know that slopes will be most reactive during peak temperatures today during rapid warming. Stay conservative, enjoy that rolling terrain, and save that high marking or steep skiing for when the snowpack is more reliable and trustworthy.

Low snow coverage still exists so be mindful of those rocks, stumps, and hazards lurking below the snow surface. 

Regions covered