Togwotee Pass

A Special Avalanche Bulletin has been issued by the Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center at 8:45 AM. The content of this bulletin can be viewed at <a href="/nws_warnings.php">http://www.jhavalanche.org/nws_warnings.php</a>. New snow and westerly winds have created easily triggered soft slabs to 10 inches in depth on avalanche prone terrain. The potential remains for riders or skiers to trigger isolated pockets of deeper hard slab in very steep, rocky terrain. The general avalanche hazard is MODERATE.The center has received preliminary and unverified information regarding an avalanche fatality that occurred yesterday afternoon. A backcountry skier who accessed the Clause Creek area by skis and snowmobile from the Cliff Creek Trailhead in Hoback Canyon is believed to have triggered an eight inch deep soft slab on a steep slope at an elevation of about 9,200 feet and was carried into a tree and did not survive. Rescue personnel hope to gain access to this area today. Our sincere condolences go out to those involved and their friends and families.

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Periods of moderate to heavy snow are expected Sunday afternoon to midnight. Light snow with cooler temperatures is forecasted Monday. Storm totals by Monday morning will increase another three to four inches. Winds will be westerly at 15 miles per hour along the ridge tops and mountain temperatures will cool to the single digits by morning then rise to around 10 degrees during the day. The new snow has had little wind effect but backcountry users should expect easily triggered soft slabs and sloughs up to 18 inches in depth on avalanche prone terrain at mid and upper elevations where the hazard is expected to be MODERATE. Long, steep slopes, gullies and ravines should be avoided as seemingly harmless soft snow can build to dangerous volumes. At the lower elevations avalanches are unlikely.