Togwotee Pass

The general avalanche hazard is CONSIDERABLE. Up to a foot of new snow ending yesterday rests on slick sliding surfaces of sun crusts and surface hoar. Winds have drifted this snow into soft slabs to 18 inches in depth that could be triggered on the back side of high, wind exposed areas. The new snow has increased the strain on dangerous hard slabs that rest on a base of weak, faceted snow, and could fail to the ground. New snow slides, a single person, and more likely a snowmobile, could trigger these avalanches even after a slope has been crossed multiple times. Saturday, a snowmobiler was killed by a 3 to 4 foot deep hard slab avalanche in the Big Holes, west of Victor, Idaho and another was buried in the Greys River area. He was able to thrust a hand out and was recovered with minor injuries. Similar events must be expected today.

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. ) Periods of light snow or flurries are expected Tuesday with mountain temperatures in the mid to upper twenties. Winds will be southwesterly along the exposed ridges at 15 miles per hour.With each snowfall event this season the strain increases on the weak layers deep in the snowpack or at ground level. During or following each event there have been a series of near misses, partial burials or deaths. Similar events must be expected Tuesday. The chance for backcountry travelers to trigger dangerous, hard slabs will continue and the general avalanche hazard is expected to be CONSIDERABLE. Some of the slides have been on steep, open slopes while others have been in relatively protected areas with small slidepaths. Yesterday a snowmobiler was buried near the Murphy Creek Drainage north of the Greys River. Fortunately he was able to thrust a gloved had to the surface and was recovered with minor injuries.