Bollettino valanghe

Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Pericolo valanghe

Thu
Alta quota
3 · Marcato
Limite del bosco
3 · Marcato
Sotto il limite
Senza grado
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In sintesi

Continual human-triggered avalanche activity illustrates our ongoing concerns about triggering a dangerous avalanche that breaks on weak snow near the base of the snowpack. Since December 1st, new and wind-transported snow has kept the snowpack on edge. You can trigger avalanches involving dense slabs that are 2-3 feet thick on many slopes. The safest riding is in simple terrain, wind-sheltered terrain, and some southerly aspects. 

Problemi valanghivi

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alta quota
    • Limite del bosco
    • Sotto il limite del bosco
    Probabilità
    Likely
    Dimensione
    1.5–2.5

     Weak snow from November has a slab of December snow around 2-3+ feet thick. Each of our past storms has caused a clear pattern of natural and human-triggered persistent slab avalanches on the north half of the compass at middle and upper elevations. If you venture to these slopes, it's safe to bet that this layer sits beneath your boards or sled. Right now, we benefit from evidence being easy to find in the form of natural and remotely triggered avalanche activity, and this layer is reactive in snowpits across the zone and easy to find. This problem is best managed through a conservative slope angle and steering clear of slopes highlighted above. Persistent slabs can break broader than you expect and can be triggered from flat slopes connected to steeper terrain above or next to you. You can reduce your risk by traveling on slopes where the problem isn't highlighted above or by traveling on smaller terrain features without terrain traps. Avoiding areas of wind-loaded snow will also decrease your odds of triggering an avalanche. Some slopes below about 10,500' on southerly-facing terrain currently lack the problematic structure and may offer lower-risk options. 

    (12/12/2023)

    A separate large avalanche in Horseshoe Bowl on a NE aspect around 9,700 feet.

    Photo: Gabrielle Antonioli

Avalanche Discussion

We have an impressive amount of control over our environments and the ability to satisfy a dizzying array of desires at our demand. The average watch time of our videos is around 17 seconds, which is about enough time to make it through my name and the location. Patience is defined as the capacity to delay short-term gratification in favor of a reward further down the road.  I'm trying to meet this current season with patience. I may not like the current snowpack setup, but what can I do? Although the likelihood of triggering an avalanche in the alpine may slowly decrease in the coming week of high pressure, the consequences remain serious. Absence of evidence will not equate to evidence of the absence of this problem. She's set up shop, found some affordable housing on the north half of the compass, and is sticking around for the foreseeable future. The danger will drop slowly in the coming days, but when riding near a slope, approaching steep terrain, or standing at the top of your next line, assessments should include more than "Can I trigger it?"   You must also ask yourself, "What are the consequences if my assessments are wrong?" Snow layers like the kind that are currently present and notoriously tricky and can behave deceptively. Utilize patience to manage the uncertainty that will come with this problem.

Regioni coperte