Avalanche forecast

Togwotee Pass

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
No rating
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Out of date — this forecast expired 7 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Large slab avalanches can be triggered by humans on steep slopes in terrain above an elevation of 8,000 feet. These slab avalanches could be triggered by the weight of a single rider or skier or be triggered after a slope has been crossed multiple times. These dangerous slides will fail on a weak layer of faceted snow that persists near the base of the snowpack. This weak layer is easy to find if you dig down through the snow to the ground. If this layer is present in avalanche prone terrain conservative terrain choices are warranted. Avalanches are unlikely below an elevation of 8,000 feet.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2

    Weak layers of faceted snow persist near the base of the snowpack on slopes that held snow prior to Thanksgiving. These areas generally include all aspects above 9,000 feet and west through north to east facing slopes between 8,000 and 9,000 feet. There, backcountry travelers could trigger persistent slabs with depths of one to three feet. The basal weak layers are slowly adjusting to the previous week’s loading event. Some of these slopes are stable, others are not, and it is difficult if not impossible to differentiate between the two. Patience is key with a persistent slab avalanche problem. The consequences of triggering one of these large slab avalanches are likely to be severe.

Avalanche Discussion

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Skies will be partly cloudy. Temperatures will drop into the teens and 20's tonight and will rise into the 20's and 30's on Monday. Winds will be from the south to southwest at 15 to 20 miles per hour with higher gusts.Large slab avalanches can be triggered by humans in steep terrain at the mid and upper elevations. These slabs are mostly likely to be triggered by skiers, snowboarders and snowmobilers in steep avalanche prone terrain on northeast through northwest aspects between an elevation of 8,000 and 9,500 feet but could also be triggered on east through north to west aspects at those elevations and on a variety of aspects above an elevation of 9,500 feet. These dangerous slabs could be triggered by the weight of a single person and can be triggered on slopes with previous tracks. If triggered they will fail on a persistent weak layer of faceted snow near the base of the snowpack. They could be 2 to 4 feet deep. In these areas the general avalanche hazard is moderate. The general avalanche hazard is low below an elevation of 8,000 feet.

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