Togwotee Pass

The General Avalanche Hazard is MODERATE. Dangerous unstable slabs persist. Over the last few days several large avalanches have been triggered by backcountry travelers in Western Wyoming, which resulted in injuries, fatalities, and close calls. Deep hard and soft slabs lie upon a weak base of faceted snow, and could be triggered by those venturing into avalanche terrain. Greater triggers such as more than one person or machine on a slope may be necessary to start a slide. Always travel one at a time on slopes and do not linger in run-out zones.

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )A moisture-starved, fast-moving system will reach the area with strong winds by Tuesday morning. The southwest winds will reach 45 mile per hour averages with gusts in the sixties by midday. 10,000 foot temperatures will reach twenty degrees f. Snowfall is forecasted to be light, with two inches of accumulation by Tuesday evening. The general avalanche hazard for the region will be Considerable Tuesday. Skiers continue to trigger slides on steep slopes over a variety of aspects. Monday a skier triggered a three foot deep slide in extreme terrain on the east facing slope of the East Ridge of Cody Peak, south of the Jackson Hole Resort. The skier was the third to ski the pitch. Sunday a skier triggered a 3 to 5 foot deep slide on a south-southwest facing slope just south of the resort. Similar events are likely on other aspects and as the snowpack gains strength, increased triggers may be necessary such as the third or later skier, rider or snowmobiler on a slope. In the Togwotee Pass area slides have the potential to pull out to the ground as the foundation of the snowpack is made up of weak, faceted snow. The fatal accident southeast of Afton on Saturday was likely a natural event that caught the snowmobilers in its large run-out zone. Other natural events were witnessed in that area the same day. Large, deep avalanches in that area could be triggered on a variety of aspects.