Avalanche forecast

Togwotee Pass

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago.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

Highlights

Weak layers buried beneath a cohesive slab have produced cracking and collapsing indicating unstable avalanche conditions that will continue today. Use extra caution near/above 10,000’ where wind affected snow has created more reactive slabs. Evaluate slope angles while traveling to steer clear of steep wind loaded terrain where this problem exists.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    A cohesive slab 1-2 feet deep sits above various buried weak layers where triggering an avalanche is possible. On wind loaded terrain above 10,000’ slab depths will be 2-3 feet with possibly higher amounts in terrain exposed to the wind. Yesterday a remotely triggered avalanche was reported on Breccia. These avalanches can occur on low angle terrain connecting to steeper terrain breaking above, below or to the side of you. Pay attention to this problem when traveling above 10,000’ where wind has created a more sensitive slab above those weak layers.  Identify this terrain by analyzing the snow surface for ripples, large pillows, or cracking. In upper elevations, look for areas adjacent to scoured slopes where snow has been previously transported. In sheltered terrain, watch out for any steep slopes over 35° above terrain traps where small avalanches can still have severe consequences.

    Remotely triggered avalanche on Togwotee yesterday that also provides a good example of a terrain trap. 

Avalanche Discussion

Togwotee currently has a complex snowpack. Strong winds of opposing directions associated with the last two storms have scoured some slopes entirely and deposited large amounts on others. Areas of the most concern is where old weak snow sits above cohesive slabs of snow that have experienced warm temperatures the last two days. The problem is that it is really difficult to predict where these touchy avalanche conditions exist without digging into the snowpack. What we do know is that this problem is most reactive on specific leeward terrain where wind deposition has created harder slabs near the snow surface. The easiest way to identify these areas is to feel for that hardness change. Feel for hard snow above soft snow. If you’re a skier, push your ski pole into the snow. If you’re a snowmobiler, step off your sled or trench your track. If you want to get technical, dig a pit and perform a stability (I'll bet money you’ll get unstable results). Use caution today as the combination of an early season snowpack with thin coverage and difficut to predict avalanche conditions could lead to serious consequences. Go break those sleds in, get thos ski/board legs back in shape, and play in simple terrain.

Pay attention to the snow surfaces today as snowfall from the incoming storm falls on a variety of weak surfaces. If forecasted snowfall comes to fruition we could see unstable new snow conditions and added stress on buried weak layers over the next few days. 

Regions covered