Avalanche forecast

Togwotee Pass

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago.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

Triggering a slab avalanche 1’ to 3’ thick remains a possibility. You are most likely to trigger an avalanche in steep, rocky terrain. Seek out sheltered, low angle slopes to avoid this hazard. 

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    The snowpack on Togwotee is shallow and weak.  Over the last week, the probability  of triggering a slab avalanche by collapsing the weak layer underneath has slowly diminshed, but not gone away.  The persistent slab problem remains wherever you find early December snow settled into a slab over the weak, sugary snow that faceted after it fell in November. You can find this poor snowpack structure by digging down or probing  the snow or better yet, presume that it is there and ski or ride on slopes under thirty degrees.

    (12/19/2023) Photo: Travis Baldwin

    Thin and variable coverage on Breccia Peaking looking North

Avalanche Discussion

Unseasonably warm daily temperature swings and a lack of loading have slowly decreased the likelihood that your body weight or the weight of your sled will impact and collapse the underlying weak layer. This is a result of the snowpack adjusting to the current load. However, decreased probability does not equal zero probability. Remember that thin spots, such as steep rocky slopes, are often more likely to be trigger points. While the probablity of triggering an avalanche has diminished, the consequences remain the same.  Approach steep slopes with caution and avoid traveling through terrain traps, like creek beds, with steep slopes above you.

Hidden obstacles remain a significant hazard due to the shallow snowpack. Ride with caution. Hitting a rock or stump at high speed can have serious consequences to your sled, skis or legs!

Regions covered