Togwotee Pass

The general avalanche hazard is MODERATE. Dense surface slabs one to three feet in depth lie upon lighter density snow on steep avalanche starting zones and could be human triggered. In isolated areas with huge deposits of wind drifted snow, like the east face of Lava Mountain, dangerous hard slabs up to six feet in depth could be triggered, especially by larger loads such as high marking snowmachines. Sunday two riders were just missed by an avalanche on a steep, wind loaded slope in Kettle Creek. When a machine is stuck on a slope always let the rider dig out alone.

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )A weak Pacific trough will bring light snow overnight into Tuesday with three to five inches of accumulation by Tuesday night. Mountain temperatures will start in the mid teens Tuesday morning then warm into the mid 20s. Winds will be northwesterly at 15 miles per hour. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate. The snowpack has settled and is adjusting to last week's heavy accumulations. At upper elevations backcountry travelers could trigger slabs to two feet in depth on steep slopes, particularly those that steepen above or below cliff bands or under cornice lines with good wind deposits. Deeper slabs, to six feet in depth, could be triggered in isolated, very steep areas with deep drifting. Sunday two snowmobilers just missed being caught in a slide in the Kettle Creek drainage southwest of Togwotee Pass. The people were working to free a stuck machine on a very steep, wind loaded, south facing slope when it broke above them about three feet deep. The debris passed just to the side of them into an area where they had just been spending time. Similar events should be expected with large triggers throughout the region.