Avalanche forecast

Togwotee Pass

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
No rating
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Highlights

Dangerous avalanche conditions exist at upper elevations.  Human-triggered avalanches will be likely in steep, rocky, wind-affected terrain. Small avalanches could step down and affect deeper weak layers buried 2-4 feet deep. Travel in low-angle, sheltered terrain while the snowpack adjusts.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Recent loading and wind have stressed an already weak snowpack. You are most likely to trigger an avalanche on steep, rocky wind-affected terrain where the snowpack is thin. The persistent slab problem exists on all aspects at upper elevations and west through north through east aspects at middle elevations. Weak snow buried 2 to 4 feet could be impacted by the weight of a single rider, causing a large and destructive avalanche. Dig down or probe to verify or deny the presence of weak sugary snow. Choose lower-angle slopes to ride and watch out for terrain traps where even small avalanches will have high consequences.

    Cornices have continued to grow. Minimize time spent on slopes with cornices looming overhead. Cornices can break unexpectedly and can crack further back than you expect along ridgelines. A large cornice falling into a persistent slab problem will act as a large trigger and possibly trigger a large avalanche. Give cornices a wide berth.

    (2/27/2024)

    Cornice Growth on Togwotee

    Photo: Travis Baldwin

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Gusty winds have built soft wind slabs at upper elevations. These slabs could be up to 2 feet thick and are located along ridgelines, beneath rocky outcrops, and on crossroads terrain features like gullies. Watch for obvious pillows, drifts, and denser snow. Cracking and collapsing are sure signs of this problem. Seek out sheltered terrain where there is less wind-affected snow.

    (2/27/2024)

    Small (D.5), soft wind slab easily releasing on lee side of the ridge at 10,000 feet.

    Photo: Travis Baldwin

Avalanche Discussion

The structure of the snowpack remains poor with widespread weak layers lurking on many aspects and elevations. Yesterday's tour on the west side of the pass (Angle) revealed very few clues and the only signs of unstable snow were at upper elevations along ridgelines where small, soft wind slabs were releasing.  East of the Divide, however, the snowpack is thinner and weak layers are more easily impacted by the weight of a single rider. Choose conservative terrain as the snowpack adjusts to new snow.

Please continue to send in your observations, even if it is just an avalanche you see from the road. These observations are extremely helpful in anticipating the avalanche hazard, especially on Togwotee where there is uncertainty stemming from snowpack variability and a lack of observations. Thanks in advance! 

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