Avalanche forecast

Togwotee Pass

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

Dangerous avalanche conditions exist today. Triggering an avalanche large enough to bury you is likely. You are most likely to find unstable snow around upper elevation, wind affected terrain near ridges and gullies.  Seek out sheltered mid-elevation terrain and watch for cracking and collapsing as you travel, both indications of unstable conditions.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Expect to find touchy, wind-stiffened slabs along ridges and cross-loaded gullies. These slabs will be up to two feet thick and could be easily triggered by a human. Avalanches could be large enough to bury you and could entrain large amounts of sugary snow that was recently buried as well as new storm snow. As you travel, watch for obvious pillows of wind-deposited snow that will feel dense. If you see shooting cracks from your skis or sled or hear collapsing, you have found unstable snow. Avoid leeward aspects (NW-N-E-S)  around exposed mid and high elevation terrain which is where you are most likely to find this problem. Even small slabs could knock you off your feet and have serious consequences if you get pushed into terrain traps, trees or over cliffs. 

    Throughout the day, these slabs could become harder to trigger and more stubborn but could be triggered from on or below the slab. Watch for areas of overhead hazard as you travel as the day progresses.

     

    (1/8/2024)

    Winds were picking up and transporting snow along ridge lines. 

    Photo: Noah McCorkel

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1–1.5

    Weak snow that formed during the November drought remains buried 1-2 feet below the surface. There has not been an avalanche on this layer in the Togwotee Pass zone for several weeks. However, the poor structure remains intact and with an increasing snow load this week, this layer may become active again.

    Surface hoar found preserved below 5" of new snow. West facing slope at 10,600'

    Photo: Noah McCorkel

Avalanche Discussion

With no observations on Togwotee yesterday, there is a little uncertainty, but we know that wind slabs became touchy in the Tetons yesterday with multiple avalanches being reported. We can correlate this activity to Togwotee pass on a slightly smaller scale given less new snow accumulation. South winds were still in the 20s mph gusting in the 40s mph. A lot of snow was redistributed yesterday to leeward aspects at upper elevations. I have no doubt that conditions will be touchy in wind affected terrain to start out the day, and with the possibility of wind slabs entaining new and old snow, particularly on shady aspects, avalanches could be large. These slabs could become more stubborn throughout the day and into tomorrow.

I have also seen multiple cornices on Togwotee recently. Remember that if travelling on ridges, cornices have a tendency to break much farther back (away from the edge) than you might expect.  If riding underneath, keep in mind they can also fail when you least expect and do not always require warming conditions. 

Please send us your observations from your ride today. We are very grateful for them!

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