Tetons

Dangerous unstable slabs persist on a variety of aspects. Over the last two days several large avalanches have been triggered by backcountry travelers resulting in injuries, fatalities, and close calls. At the mid and upper elevations soft slabs one to three feet in depth could be triggered on steep, wind-loaded slopes. Deeper, hard slabs may need more substantial triggers, such as snow machines, large groups, cornice drops, or surface slides stepping down. As the day progresses, sunshine and warming temperatures will increase the likelihood of triggering slides, along with the possibility of spontaneous, loose-snow sluffs. At the lower elevations isolated pockets of slabs up to two feet in depth could be triggered on steep, active avalanche paths. Avalanche knowledge, good route finding skills, and the ability to resist peer pressure are all essential for safe travel in avalanche terrain today.

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.