Togwotee Pass

The general avalanche hazard is MODERATE. The snowpack is weak and unstable on steep slopes. On Saturday a snowmobiler who got stuck on a west facing slope on the approach to Jules Bowl, near Brooks Lake, was seriously injured in an avalanche. The slide released when another rider drove up the slope to provide assistance. Similar incidents are possible on steep slopes with a variety of aspects today. People who venture onto steep slopes could trigger hard slab avalanches to the ground. These dangerous slides may start after a slope has been crossed multiple times or by the first person on the slope.

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )The general avalanche hazard in the Tetons and Togwotee Pass areas will be MODERATE Tuesday. Backcountry travelers could trigger slabs 18 inches to 3 feet in depth on steep slopes. There were a number of close calls and partial burials over the long weekend. There have been no deep, hard-slab slides in February in the Tetons and the possibility of releasing them is diminishing.On Saturday a snowmobiler, stuck on a west facing slope near Brooks Lake, was injured in a slide when another rider rode onto the slope to help him. The weight of the two machines, riders and the weakening of the slope by their tracks, all helped trigger the slide. Similar results should be expected even on slopes that otherwise may seem stable.In the Greys River area the hazard is expected to remain CONSIDERABLE. Dense surface slabs to 3 feet in depth could be triggered on a variety of aspects. Large slides were observed Monday just north of the Greys River/Southwest Trails forecast area. A more sensitive snowpack in the region has resulted in a number of close calls. As the new snow settles it will be particularly easy to trigger avalanches on steep terrain by high marking.