Avalanche forecast

Togwotee Pass

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago.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

Avalanches are unlikely today and the danger is Low. Triggering an avalanche 1-3 feet deep in steep upper elevation terrain cannot be ruled out. Remember that “Low” danger does not mean “No” danger.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    On Saturday, a snowmobile triggered avalanche was reported on a north aspect at 9,800 feet near Gunsight Pass in the Wyoming Range.  This avalanche failed in a wind-loaded area on weak snow 3 feet beneath the surface.  No one was caught or carried though it was a close call. This incident is a good reminder that despite the abundance of riders and tracks on many similar slopes, triggering an avalanche is still a possibity in isolated areas of steep terrain.  

    This avalanche is a good reminder to continue to look for areas of potentially unstable snow.  Remember to only expose one person at a time, use islands of safety and watch your partners when entering into avalanche terrain. The reporting party of this incident followed safe travel practices which prevented injury and burial. Many thanks to the reporting party for submitting and offering follow-up information.

    (12/30/2023)

    Snowmobile triggered avalanche on a north aspect at 9800'. Triggered by rider topping out on the slope. No one was caught or carried in this avalanche.

    Photo: Shane Copeland

Avalanche Discussion

The snowpack structure is poor in many locations. Weak snow near the bottom of the snowpack where November snow fell, faceted and was buried in early December remains a potential problem.  While unlikely, a distant possibility exists for triggering an avalanche on this layer particularly on very steep slopes. Snowpit tests continue to show this potential, despite there being few reported avalanches triggered on this layer in the past three weeks. An exception to this lack of avalanche activity occurred Saturday.

As this dry period of weather continues, it is important to track snow surfaces. This will become increasingly important with any measurable precipitation in the forecast. Currently there exists a wide range of surfaces, with weak snow in sheltered locations and sun and wind effect in exposed terrain. Having a good handle on these surfaces and their general distribution will help in anticipating the next round of avalanche activity.

Regions covered