Dangerous avalanche conditions exist in the backcountry. Wind slabs, formed by recent heavy snowfall and strong winds exist at all elevations. These slabs remain very sensitive to backcountry riders and skiers. Yesterday, a skier was caught, carried and injured after triggering a slide that carried him through trees in steep terrain. The slide occurred in No Name Canyon to the south of the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. Teton County Search and Rescue rescued the skier using a helicopter and short haul techniques. Similar events could occur today. Do not allow sunny skies to affect behavior. Conservative decision making is essential today.
Recent heavy snowfall that was accompanied by strong southwest to west winds have formed dense surface slabs in steep avalanche terrain at all elevations. These slabs lie upon widespread faceted snow formed during last weeks cold period and remain very sensitive in many areas. These slabs could have depths to three feet at higher elevations, and eighteen inches at lower elevations.
A slight chance exists for larger loads to initiate very large and destructive deep slab avalanches that could involve the full depth of the snowpack. A deep slab involving this layer, released naturally during the recent storm cycle on Treasure Bowl, near Grand Targhee Resort.
High pressure and inversion conditions will continue on Saturday. Morning temperatures will be just below zero on the summits with valley temperatures closer to twenty below. Morning fog is expected to develop and lift by noon. The general avalanche hazard will be rated as Considerable at higher elevations in the Togwotee Pass and Teton areas and Moderate at lower elevations. All elevations in the Southwest trails area will be Considerable. Recently developed surface slabs can be human triggered at all elevations and on a variety of aspects. These slabs will have greatest slab depths at higher elevations and in the southern part of the region where depths could reach five feet. In the Tetons, slabs of one to three feet are expected. Deep hard slabs continue to have some potential to fail to large triggers, particularly in the Togwotee Pass area.
