Avalanche forecast

Togwotee Pass

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
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Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago.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

Widespread poor snowpack structure exists where triggering a large avalanche 1-3 feet deep is possible. Although the likelihood of triggering is slowly decreasing, the consequences remain the same. Avoid very steep terrain, especially above terrain traps and rocky features.

 

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2.5

    Hard slabs 1-3 feet deep lie above weak layers formed during prolonged drought conditions in December. Weak snow below hard slabs is not a good combination. Recently warming/freezing cycles have helped, but the poor structure is not going away that easily. Areas of the most concern will be very steep slopes above 35°. Watch out for sensitive areas on slopes where weak layers will be easier to trigger such as where the snowpack appears thin/shallow and rocky terrain. As always, watch out for those steep terrain traps around Togwotee such as large creeks and gullies. 

    (1/30/2024)

    This slope at 9,400 feet failed widely in the afternoon of January 30th.  After two days of above freezing temps, water flowing through the snowpack reached down to the weak layer of facets, or possibly a crust with facets, and tipped over the first domino in the weak layer.

    Photo: Frank Carus

Avalanche Discussion

In avalanche forecasting we only have 5 danger ratings to explain the very complex dynamics of avalanches. Therefore within each danger rating, there’s a large range of avalanche conditions. The avalanche rating of moderate today is a low probability, high consequences scenario. This is different from a high probability, lower consequence scenario such as storm or wind slabs. Persistent weak layers are hard to deal with in the backcountry. The warming/freezing cycle certainly helped, but those layers are thick and have not completely gone away. The best way to mitigate this problem is to assess the snowpack and terrain very thoroughly where you are riding or stay off consequential slopes. Today we’ll see cooler temperatures and cloudy skies. Pay attention the next few days with the incoming storm as these weak layers are stressed by new snow. In addition, watch for any new snow instability. New snow will fall on an array of different surfaces including widespread crusts on southerly aspects and isolated surface hoar in sheltered terrain. 

Check back daily as we enter an active weather pattern this week and increased avalanche danger.

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