Avalanche forecast

Togwotee Pass

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

Periods of intense snowfall and wind create dangerous avalanche conditions and triggering an avalanche is likely today at upper elevations.  You're most likely to find trouble where the wind has formed fresh drifts around 1+ feet deep. New snow also stresses the weak snow buried deeper in the snowpack. This zone is highly variable between the east and west sides. Cautious route-finding and conservative decision-making are essential today, particularly in the steep drainage features common to Togwotee. Cracking, collapsing, and recent avalanche activity are obvious signs to back off steep terrain.  

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Togwotee has received anywhere from 6 inches to 1 foot of snowfall over the past 72 hours and shifting winds over the past week. Increasing wind speeds today will continue to drift snow into different areas, increasing the odds of triggering an avalanche. While at West Angle yesterday, Noah experienced cracking and collapsing at middle and upper elevations. Wind slabs today will be reactive to the weight of a rider. Watch for and avoid wind-drifted slopes, even in smaller terrain here (steep sides of drainages and creeks). It also pays to recognize that the wind slab problem is intertwined with the persistent slab problem below. 

    Wind-affected areas will likely have variable snow depths and spots where you can more easily impact weak snow. The best—and only—way to manage this problem and where it overlaps with Problem #2 below is by choosing lower-angled slopes today. 

    (2/4/2024)

    Observed shooting cracks and many collapses on the way up Angle.

    Photo: Noah McCorkel

  • Persistent Slabs

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

     Although increasingly unlikely, dangerous hard slab avalanches failing on a buried sugary, persistent weak layer are possible, particularly in areas with shallow snow cover. Snowmobilers and skiers could trigger slabs 2-3 feet deep on steep slopes today, particularly in areas seeing greater amounts of snowfall and wind today. These avalanches continue to be triggered on all aspects (shaded and sunny) at all elevations. These can be triggered by the first rider or even after many tracks are on a slope. These avalanches have the potential to propagate longer distances and include entire slopes.

    Wind-affected areas will likely have variable snow depths and spots where you can more easily impact these layers. The best—and only—way to manage this problem is by choosing lower-angled slopes. 

    Double propagation!

    Photo: Noah McCorkel

Avalanche Discussion

Each new storm buries a new interface to think about. Depending on the older snow, the bond at this interface can vary significantly in strength. As the complexity of the snowpack increases, particularly during storms, it becomes more and more challenging to assess the stability of a given slope confidently. Obvious signs of instability may be hit-or-miss, depending on which portion of this zone you are in today. Be aware that new snow may exhibit persistent slab-like behavior and be triggered remotely or break onto less steep slopes. With increasing winds and crusts beneath many steeper slopes in the alpine,  lower-angled sheltered slopes may also offer the best riding conditions today. The weather is in flux, and change is happening at all elevations currently. Familiarize yourself with the snowpack in areas you frequent, keep your head on a swivel with incoming weather, know the people you like to get out with and how well you communicate—and choose terrain that fits your assessment of the above. 

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