Togwotee Pass

Generally stable avalanche conditions exist across the region. Watch for pockets of unstable snow in very steep wind affected terrain. Remember, even a small slide could prove dangerous in consequential terrain.

The January Drought has made good riding a bit more scarce, but it has allowed much of the snowpack to stabilize. Human triggered avalanches are unlikely, and while the danger is low, it is not zero danger, so here are some avalanche problems to think about:

Look for small wind slabs in very steep terrain. If you see cracking around your skis, you have found the problem. These slabs are rather small, but could be dangerous if you find yourself in exposed terrain where the consequences of getting knocked off your feet are high.

Watch for wet loose avalanches later in the day. Temperatures are forecasted to be 10 degrees F above average with minimal wind. Similar to the wind slabs, these could be an issue in very steep, consequential terrain. Watch for roller balls and warming snow surfaces.

You may have noticed we removed the persistent slab problem yesterday. While there is still weak snow buried in the snowpack, it just doesn’t have the right combination of slab, weak layer, and trigger to produce avalanches in the vast majority of terrain. It is important to remember that persistent slab avalanches can be unpredictable, and with poor snowpack structure you can never rule out the possibility of an outlier event. Stay vigilant and thoroughly assess the snowpack before committing to consequential terrain.