Bulletin d’avalanche

Togwotee Pass

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Danger d’avalanche

Mon
Alpin
2 · Modéré
Limite forestière
2 · Modéré
Sous la limite
Sans niveau
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Périmé — ce bulletin a expiré 2 years ago. Vous consultez des conditions passées, pas le bulletin en cours.

Points saillants

Triggering an avalanche 1-2 feet deep that fails on buried weak layers is a real possibility today. Wind affected upper elevation terrain and north facing slopes are most hazardous. Triggering an avalanche from a distance is not out of the question. Evaluate steep slopes carefully and give yourself a wide margin for error in avalanche terrain today.

Early season conditions exist. Being involved in an avalanche can result in significant injury due to rocks, vegetation and the ground lurking just below the snow surface.

Problèmes avalancheux

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpin
    • Limite forestière
    • Sous la limite forestière
    Probabilité
    Possible
    Taille
    1–2

    Weak snow in the lower half of the snowpack exists in the majority of terrain above 8,000’. In the upper elevations, strong southwesterly winds have formed hard slabs up to 2 feet thick that lie upon this weak snow. Slabs around a foot thick in the mid elevations also sit on weak snow and can be triggered primarily in terrain on the north half of the compass. 

    Recent avalanches, cracking, and collapsing are obvious signs of unstable snow, some of which were reported yesterday. However, these signs may or may not present themselves prior to triggering an avalanche today. Hard slabs in the upper elevations can break above a person and propagate long distances across slopes, making escape difficult. Remote triggers have been reported recently. Because of this, it is worth considering the terrain that lies above you while traveling in the backcountry today. 

    Digging below the snow surface and identifying where weak, sugary snow exists can help you identify hazardous terrain. Seeking out low angle terrain remains the best way to avoid an avalanche if you are uncertain about the structure of the snowpack where you are riding.

    (12/18/2024) K Trail between K and E trails.

Avalanche Discussion

While the likelihood of triggering an avalanche is slowly decreasing with time from the most recent storm (Dec 15-17) and following wind event (Dec 19), the possibility of triggering remains. Warm temperatures and strong winds have settled and stiffened the overlying slab to the point where obvious signs of instability may not be present as you travel. However, the weak snow near the base of the snowpack is only buried 1-2 feet deep in most locations and the weight of a single rider can still easily impact this weak layer. Triggering an avalanche from a distance remains a possibility, especially on a snow machine. Because of this it is important to be aware of the slopes that are above you and any potential terrain traps below you. Small slides that funnel into tight gullies can have serious consequences.

Slopes facing east through north through west held the weakest snow prior to the most recent storm. Some south facing slopes were bare ground prior to the storm with only the newest snow covering them now. These slopes hold a generally stable snowpack, but are most likely too shallow to ride. The distribution of this weak layer is variable and requires either prior knowledge of the pre storm surface or digging down and testing/observing the snow pack layering. Practicing safe travel habits and evaluating the snowpack for instability will be important today. If you are unsure of the stability of the snowpack, then sticking to low angle (less than 30 degrees) terrain is the best way to avoid being caught in an avalanche.

Régions couvertes