Bollettino valanghe

Togwotee Pass

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Pericolo valanghe

Mon
Alta quota
3 · Marcato
Limite del bosco
3 · Marcato
Sotto il limite
Senza grado
Open full map
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In sintesi

The avalanche danger will rise to considerable as the day warms and snow surfaces become wet. Wet snow avalanches are likely in the afternoon and may be triggered by humans or release naturally on steep, rocky slopes that face the sun. In addition, large avalanches failing on weak snow near the bottom of the snowpack are possible. Monitor the snow surface as the day warms and consider exiting the mountains if you are sinking into slushy snow. Steep slopes above terrain traps should be avoided today.

Problemi valanghivi

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Triggering an avalanche remains possible on weak snow buried within the snowpack's top 2-4 feet. Togwotee's snowpack is characterized by a thick layer of weak, sugary snow buried near the base of the snowpack on all aspects and elevations. This problem is most sensitive on steep, rocky, and wind-affected slopes on the north half of the compass. Watch for thin spots in the snowpack where weak layers are easier to impact, and trench your sled track into the snow or probe to identify these areas. Multiple tracks  on a slope are not an indicator of stability with this avalanche problem, particularly as we see more warming and sunshine each day. Use caution in steep terrain and give yourself a wide margin for error on slopes with high consequences or around terrain traps. 

    (3/8/2024)

    Persistent Slab avalanche that covered the 'K' trail at Togwotee. This avalanche occurred on an east aspect around 7600'. 

    Photo: Cameron Galt

  • Loose Wet

    • Alta quota
    • Limite del bosco
    • Sotto il limite del bosco
    Probabilità
    Likely
    Dimensione
    1–2

    Sunlit slopes will become unstable as the day heats up. Yesterday, wet loose avalanches were reported on very steep sunny slopes. These avalanches are possible again today. Wet loose avalanches begin at a "point", usually the base of a warm rock or tree, and fan out to collect snow as they move. They are most hazardous in confined terrain or on large slopes where they gather a lot of snow. So far, wet snow avalanches have been relatively small and easy to predict. However, melt-water is working its way down towards deeper weak layers during the heat of the day and putting wet slab avalanches on the radar. Steep and rocky south facing slopes are the first places that these avalanches might occur. Wet slabs are difficult to predict and can be large. 

    It is important to monitor the snow surface as the day heats up. Consider moving to shaded terrain, or exiting the mountains, if the snow surface becomes slushy and you are sinking in past your ankles. Roller balls and small point releases are also signs that conditions are becoming unstable.

    Pinwheel formation off of south facing cliff bands. These are signs that the snowpack is becoming wet and unstable.

Avalanche Discussion

Yesterday afternoon, temperatures at the mid elevation weather stations rose above 40 degrees Farenheit . Overnight lows dipped just below freezing. Skies will be clear today and temperatures are expected to rise well above freezing again. Wet avalanche problems are becoming more hazardous with each consecutive day of warming. Free water is working its way towards buried weak layers and may result in some surprising avalanche activity during the afternoon. Getting an early start and exiting the mountains before snow surfaces become dangerously wet is the best way to mitigate this hazard.

It is still possible to trigger a large avalanche on deeply buried weak layers on very steep, unsupported, and rocky slopes. Warming temperatures will make triggering one of these beasts more likely. Because of this, sticking to lower angle slopes and avoiding steep gullies is recommended.

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