Avalanche forecast

Togwotee Pass

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
No rating
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Highlights

Dangerous avalanche conditions exist. Recent snowfall and sustained southwest winds have formed wind slabs, primarily at upper elevations. Watch for obvious signs of wind-loaded snow such as pillows and drifts where triggering an avalanche is likely. Use conservative decisions around steep, rocky, and wind-affected slopes where it's possible to trigger a large destructive avalanche on buried weak layers. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Over the past two days, southwest winds averaging 15-30 mph and recent snowfall formed wind slabs 1-2 feet thick in exposed upper-elevation terrain. Expect widespread wind slabs on upper-elevation terrain, slabs could be up to 3 feet thick in isolated locations. Use caution near exposed ridgelines, rocky areas, and cross-loaded terrain features. Watch for signs of wind loading such as cracking, stiffened surfaces, pillow/drifts, and fresh cornices. 

    As winds transport snow, the added weight can stress buried weak layers causing them to become more sensitive. Triggering a wind slab avalanche has the potential to step down to deeper layers initiating a larger avalanche. Carefully evaluate snowpack depth and watch for terrain traps and gullies. If you encounter signs of unstable snow, consider moving to terrain sheltered from the wind. 

    (3/8/2024)

    South facing wind slab avalanche from Leidy. 

    Photo: Cameron Galt

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    Triggering a persistent slab avalanche is possible on weak snow buried 2-4 feet deep. The weak, sugary snow exists across all elevations and aspects except middle-elevation southerlies. The most probable areas to trigger a persistent slab avalanche include steep, rocky, and wind-affected slopes on the north half of the compass. These areas contain thin, shallow spots where riders can more easily impact weak layers. Shallower snow is also found east of the continental divide. Previous tracks on a slope are not an indicator of stability. Use caution in steep terrain and give yourself a wide margin of error on slopes with high consequences or near terrain traps. Move to low-angle terrain to avoid this problem. 

    The last known persistent slab avalanche occurred on 3/16 in Upper Deception Creek. A wet slab avalanche failing on these persistent weak layers occurred on 3/19 on Breccia.

    (3/8/2024)

    Sympathetically released persistent slab avalanche. 

    Photo: Cameron Galt

Avalanche Discussion

The weather will give our snowpack some time to adjust to the new load of snow that has come in over the past week. Winds and new snow have stressed weak layers buried deeper in the snowpack and created fresh wind slabs on the surface. A period of sunshine created melt-freeze crusts on March 21st and March 23rd. Observations from the Tetons demonstrate that the new snow is struggling to bond to the old snow surface. While we have a nicer period of weather, wind slabs will remain sensitive throughout the day. A couple of days will allow this new snow to start forming a strong bond with the existing snowpack. Until then, continue to watch for signs of wind-loaded snow. 

Also, note that Togwotee's snowpack is geographically diverse. The depth of the snowpack changes dramatically depending on your location. Generally, a thinner snowpack is found east of the continental divide. Here, it will be easier to impact buried weak layers in the snowpack. These weak layers will also be easier to stress with new loading. Pay attention to depth as you travel through the Togwotee zone. Take the time to probe, or dig down to identify depth. If uncertain, low-angle slopes offer excellent riding opportunities with less consequence. 

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