Avalanche forecast

Togwotee Pass

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago.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

Highlights

Triggering a slab remains possible, and the resulting slide will be 1-3 feet thick and involve most of the winter’s snowpack. As the likelihood of triggering an avalanche gradually decreases, continue to make your terrain selections accordingly and be alert to the consequences of being caught in a slide where you are traveling. 

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Par for the course at Togwotee, the snowpack at middle and upper elevations is plagued by layers of weak snow, primarily on the northern half of the compass. The layers most likely to produce large avalanches in this zone are 1-3+ feet deep (dependent on aspect due to variability in snow depths) and consist of well-developed sugary, faceted snow. These can be pretty easy to feel on a sled, so if you trench your track into weak snow, take a minute to look at the structure of what you are riding and where that problem snow can be found on the problem diagram above. If you're finding this snow, it's best to steer clear of any steep slopes, even if these may appear unsuspectingly small, like the steep creeksides and gullies that are common around Togwotee.

Avalanche Discussion

When weather enters a holding pattern, more people enter complex terrain features to seek fresh snow, and I suddenly find myself with less patience for nature.

Risk management with persistent slabs can be a tricky trade. Feedback from the environment is poor particularly as evidence starts to wain (i.e., not many human or natural avalanches, spatial variability of snow cover). So, try utilizing time as a decision-management tool. Regroup with your crew often, and adopt a slope-is-guilty-until-proven-innocent mindset, even when playing on steep, small terrain features. We can use time to create more options, reduce uncertainty, and optimize timing. Right now, we've got nothing but time and a long winter ahead--so dialing in how communication flows in your group, taking time to look at the snow beneath your skis or sled, and looking through the season's observations for Togwotee and to understand the character and pattern of avalanche activity here. This will be a tool to enable your riding and help you manage risk as the season progresses.

Please submit an observation with any relevant snowpack information or if you see an avalanche while out riding around. 

Regions covered