The snowpack in the Togwotee Pass area has poor structure. Backcountry riders and skiers could trigger slab avalanches in terrain where cohesive snow lies over weak faceted snow layers, particularly in steep terrain above 9000 feet. Avoid steep avalanche starting zones and dont underestimate that avalanche starting zones can be on small terrain features as well as in big open slopes.
Soft slab avalanches can be triggered in very steep terrain with depths to two feet. These will be more sensitive in areas of recent loading but the primary ingredients remain to be very steep terrain where cohesive snow lies. In a few specific, large avalanche paths such as the east and north facing terrain of Lava, larger slabs with depths to four feet could be triggered.
In addition to avoiding the current avalanche problems, now is a good time to pay attention to snow surfaces. Cold temperatures, dry conditions and mostly clear skies are driving faceting of the snow surface as well as providing for surface hoar growth. Noting wear this faceting and more importantly, where large surface hoar growth, is occuring can help with making good terrrain decisions when future storms form new slab avalanche problems.
