Avalanche forecast

Togwotee Pass

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Fri
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
No rating
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired 7 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

It is unlikely that you will trigger an avalanche today. Isolated areas of unstable snow might exist in very steep terrain. Low danger means that avalanches are unlikely, not impossible. Travel one at a time on steep slopes, keep an eye on your partners, and avoid terrain traps.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Weak snow from November is buried two to five feet deep. While the likelihood of impacting this weak snow is very low, it is not completely out of the question in isolated areas. As you ride, look for a combination of terrain characteristics including slope aspects on the north half of the compass, very steep slope angles, wind affected snow, convexities, and/or rocky outcrops. Any combination of these characteristics often harbors shallower snow and increases the likelihood of impacting weak layers buried near the ground. Evaluate these areas carefully.

Avalanche Discussion

Outlier avalanche events can occur on low danger days. I don’t think you will trigger an avalanche today, but ultimately that is my educated guess based on the available information: no new snow in 12 days, no persistent slab avalanches in 3 weeks, snow pits pointing towards increasing strength, and no recent avalanches despite snowmobile tracks almost everywhere. That said, the persistent slab problem persists because we know that Togwotee can harbor weak snow for long periods in isolated areas. Give yourself a margin of safety around the terrain described above in the persistent slab problem. Consider the consequence if the slope you are about to ride were to avalanche.  Unlikely or not, this problem won’t give you any warning signs. Even small avalanches can be consequential above terrain traps. The recent tragic accident in the southern Salt River range is a sobering reminder to remain vigilant in avalanche terrain. The preliminary report is available for more info.

Regions covered