Avalanche forecast

Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

A steady stream of new and windblown snow throughout today will create sensitive wind drifts and load buried weak layers. Triggering an avalanche on deeper layers remains possible, particularly in specific areas of this zone (Southern Wyoming Range). In other areas with deeper snowpacks (Salts, SRR), triggering an avalanche is possible, especially on steep slopes where new snowfall will fall on crusts or be transported by wind. You can dramatically reduce your risk of getting caught in an avalanche by sticking to wind-sheltered, mid-elevation terrain.  Make your terrain selection accordingly and be alert to the consequences of being caught in a slide where you are traveling. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    The lower-density nature of new snowfall throughout today will be easily transported by even light breezes.  Wind slabs may be found near ridgelines or mid-slope in exposed terrain, particularly late in the day and into tomorrow morning. Wind loading can be more subtle—assume that all open or sparsely treed, upper-elevation slopes have experienced at least some amount of wind loading over the past week. The lower elevations will see a reprieve from any sunshine today (and instabilities as such), and lower snowfall amounts are not expected to turn the tables in these weaker spots. 

    ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION:A number of weak layers—both prominent and subtle—exist in the top 2 feet as well as near the bottom portion of the snowpack on shallow slopes. None of these seem particularly reactive but have still produced a few small to medium-sized avalanches in the past week. Nearly constant loading from light snowfall and wind are not giving these weak layers any relief, and time will tell how these layers react to even greater incoming water amounts. 

     

     

     

     

     

     

    (3/7/2023)

    Willow Creek 6900' SW aspect

    Photo: Drinkard

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    A unique feature of crust+facet combinations is their ability to survive despite having a crushing amount of weight above them. The Feb 18th facet+crust layer is now buried 2-3’ below a firm, cohesive slab. Though recent avalanche activity on this layer is gradually decreasing over time, active weather throughout the week means we need to continue looking for this layer and assessing its activity of it on our slope of choice. It is worth carefully reading any recent observations over the past week in areas you frequent and grasp any trend with activity.

    This combination is found on the southern half of the compass at the middle and upper elevations. Lower elevations contain this same combination, as well as just generally weak snow on sheltered aspects. The spatial variability of the snowpack in the Greys makes this problem difficult to manage. The best way to assess this weak layer is to dig down, identify the layer, and perform stability tests before riding consequential terrain. It is worth carefully reading any recent observations over the past week in areas you frequent and grasp any trend with activity. 

    Recent avalanche activity has occurred on this layer in areas with a thin, shallow snowpack such as the Wyoming Range (Dry Creek Lake, Hoback Peak).  

    (3/2/2023)

    This avalanche resulted in a partial burial of a rider on a west aspect in the Hoback section of the Greys at 9,700'.  

Avalanche Discussion

A conversation last evening brought up the concept of entering the backcountry as a practice of good habits and reassessment; of setting your own margins, and not just adopting someone else's. As we move forward into spring, practice those good habits, and build your personal backcountry practice. After all, it's not just skiing or riding--it is negotiating with a mountain.

Success does not mean expertise in the avalanche game, which is an easy thing to forget with the high visibility that social media or riding in more popularized zones allows us. Success (i.e. riding the line, getting to the top of the mountain) without context, feedback, and a process is nothing but a high-five into the wind. It leaves you no better off at the top of your next line. So when a skin track cuts mid-slope because that's where a summer trail goes, practice your good habits and judgment, and set your own. The more we build good habits and practice good judgment, the wider the margin will be when it matters, and the more experience we craft into expertise. Keep it tight my friends, enjoy some fresh snow today, and wish someone you know a Happy International Women's Day. 

Regions covered