Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

DANGEROUS UNSTABLE CONDITIONS EXIST ON STEEP SLOPES. The general avalanche hazard is CONSIDERABLE. Human triggered avalanches are likely on a variety of aspects. In the western mountains of Wyoming there were numerous close calls over the weekend and similar events are possible today. Dense surface slabs up to three feet deep have loaded a snowpack with persistent, weak depth hoar at its base. People who venture onto steep slopes could trigger slides to 3 feet deep and/or full depth hard-slab avalanches to the ground. Avalanches will be easier to trigger as temperatures rise.

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )The general avalanche hazard in the Tetons and Togwotee Pass areas will be MODERATE Wednesday. Backcountry travelers could trigger slabs 18 inches to three feet in depth on steep slopes. There were a number of close calls and partial burials over the weekend. There have been no deep, hard-slab slides in February in the Tetons and although loose depth hoar persists in some areas like very steep terrain over cliff bands it would likely require the weight of much more snow or several people, or snow machines to break out a slab. 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. The steep, east slope of Lava Mountain slid during or just after the last storm showing that the right conditions of winds over a good wind fetch (the large, flat summit plateau) can move enough snow onto a steep slope to create hazardous conditions.In the Greys River area the hazard is expected to remain CONSIDERABLE. Dense surface slabs to three 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 continue to be possible to trigger avalanches on steep terrain especially by high marking.