Togwotee Pass

The general avalanche hazard is CONSIDERABLE. Strong winds have drifted available snow increasing the size of potential avalanches. The snow lies upon an unstable base comprised of persistent weak layers of faceted snow and slick crusts. Saturday a skier died after being buried by an avalanche at the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort despite rapid recovery. Dangerous slab avalanches up to four feet in depth continue to be sensitive to human triggers and could release naturally. Conservative decisions and good terrain evaluation and route finding skills are essential for safe travel in avalanche terrain.

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Another burst of snow is forecasted for Monday evening with up to four inches of snow in the mountains. Tuesday will be drier and cooler with a chance of light snow and morning lows in the single digits and daytime highs in the teens. Winds will taper Monday evening from southwesterly at 20 m.p.h. to westerly at 15 to 20 Tuesday. Continued new snow and strong winds will maintain the general avalanche hazard at HIGH in the Tetons and Greys River/Southwest Trails areas. Large dangerous natural and human triggered avalanches are likely. It may be more difficult to trigger slides with colder air temperatures but we have not seen significant stabilization over time with this snowpack. TRAVEL IN AVALANCHE TERRAIN IS NOT RECOMMENDED. The general avalanche hazard in the Togwotee Pass/Continental Divide areas will be CONSIDERABLE. Dangerous human triggered slab avalanches and natural avalanche activity are possible. Conservative decisions regarding route selection are essential for safe travel in avalanche terrain.