Avalanche forecast

Togwotee Pass

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
No rating
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Highlights

The combination of snow and wind stressing buried weak layers will create dangerous avalanche conditions. Terrain exposed to the wind will be the most reactive and triggering an avalanche remotely from gentler slopes above, below, or beside you will be possible. Careful route finding will be a necessity today to avoid steep slopes and reduce exposure around avalanche start zones.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Consistent W/SW wind mixed with new snow has created widespread soft wind slabs above 9000’ and specific to exposed terrain below 9000’. Wind slabs will be up to 2 feet deep. The nature of these sustained winds above 20 mph has created widespread wind affect in upper elevations resulting in upside down and sensitive slabs. These slabs will be reactive today with plenty of snow available to continually transport and alter new snow. Look for obvious signs of instability such as cracking, stiffened surfaces and drifts. 

    New snow from this storm cycle sits on an old, weak interface composed of facets and crusts created during drought conditions and buried March 20th. This poor interface buried around 1 foot deep will make remote triggering of avalanches possible on the new snow. Triggering an avalanche on this interface will be easiest in wind loaded terrain.

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Deeper weak layers buried earlier in the season pose a serious threat across all elevations and aspects. Slab depths will range 2-3 feet with deeper slabs possible in the upper elevations. These layers are composed of crusts, facets, and depth hoar. These avalanches will be most reactive during rapid loading of new snow, stressing these layers resulting in a very large avalanche if triggered.

    Mocassin Basin 9500' E aspect

    Photo: Cory Beattie

Avalanche Discussion

March Madness

Just when we thought winter was winding down… BOOOM another serious storm cycle hits! Over the last 5 days Togwotee has received around 18 inches of new snow. Our main concern is the new snow instability, which as you’ve read sits on a weak interface. This interface is characterized as a persistent slab where avalanches could be remotely triggered. Deeper weak layers have lingered all season, and the tripping point of triggering these layers is difficult to predict. Due to the stress of adding snow above these layers, careful route finding will be the key ingredient to satisfying your powder fever. Assess the slope angles you plan to travel on and stay off steep slopes, especially above 35°. Identifying start zones and open zones where avalanches occurrences are common will help aid your terrain choice. Don’t let powder fever cloud your judgment. This winter has been a long season, so avoid becoming lulled into complacency.

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