Avalanche forecast

Togwotee Pass

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
No rating
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Out of date — this forecast expired 13 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Yesterday afternoon a group of skiers remotely triggered a large slab avalanche in the southern Teton Range that took out trees and ran full path. Reports of large avalanches that released naturally in the Snake River and the Salt River Ranges have been submitted to the Center as clearing skies have afforded views of the backcountry. By definition the general avalanche hazard is considerable today because natural avalanche activity is possible and human triggered avalanches are likely. In reality most fatal avalanches accidents occur during periods of considerable or moderate hazard. The combination of warming temperatures, enticing sunny skies and large unstable slabs is a recipe for an accident. Expert knowledge must be paired with restraint and conservative terrain choices for safe travel in avalanche terrain today.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    2–3

    The recent storm cycle has created dense slabs up to six feet in depth. In some areas these slabs lie upon weak faceted snow. These dangerous slabs can be triggered remotely by light loads, such as a single single skier or rider, and are often triggered from areas where the snowpack is shallow or weak. These slabs can be very destructive. Due to the variability in the strength and the spacial distribution of the underlying faceted layers, these persistent slabs could be triggered on a variety of aspects at all elevations. Field observations seem to indicate that these slabs are most likely to be human triggered at the mid elevations.

Avalanche Discussion

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Periods of clouds and a few snow flurries are possible overnight. On Wednesday skies will be partly cloudy with temperatures rising into the mid 20s to low 30s. Northwest winds will diminish to 20 miles per hour overnight and increase to 25 to 30 with gusts to 40 to 50 miles per hour in the afternoon and evening.Dense wind slabs that formed during the past five days may seem to be stable in some areas but in other areas they lie upon snow that is weak and faceted. Determining which slopes are stable and which are unstable may not be possible. Slab avalanches up to six feet in depth could be human triggered with fatal consequences. Expert knowledge is not enough for safe travel in avalanche terrain during these conditions. This knowledge must be paired with restraint and conservation terrain choices. The general avalanche hazard is expected to be CONSIDERABLE.

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