Togwotee Pass

Daily in the Togwotee Pass forecast area, riders have been triggering avalanches on weak snow that lies at the base snowpack. Today it is possible for backcountry travelers to trigger small to large slides on avalanche-prone terrain above 8,500 feet. These slides could also be triggered remotely, from a distance, making it important to be aware of surrounding avalanche terrain. In most areas, the snowpack is shallow but even a small avalanche could have severe consequences, especially over terrain traps like creek bottoms. Along with the persistent slab avalanches, skiers and riders could also encounter small wind slab avalanches on steep, wind-loaded terrain at the upper elevations. In the low elevations, avalanches are unlikely except in very steep isolated pockets.

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )A ridge of high pressure will keep conditions dry and cold. Overnight temperatures will drop below zero and then warm into the teens. Westerly winds will be 10 to 20 mph on ridges in the mountains. Avalanche conditions continue to be dangerous. Above 8,500 feet, the weight of a single person could trigger high consequence slab avalanches with depths to five feet. This avalanche problem may not present with warning signs, and a slope could be skied many times before the thin spot on the slab is triggered. In the Grey’s River and Teton forecast areas, the avalanche hazard will remain Considerable at the upper elevations. In the Togwotee Pass forecast area, where there is less snow with softer and thinner slabs, the avalanche hazard will be Moderate. Due to the unpredictable nature of persistent avalanche problems, backcountry travelers should use careful snowpack evaluation and cautious route-finding when traveling through the mountains tomorrow.