Bollettino valanghe

Togwotee Pass

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Pericolo valanghe

Wed
Alta quota
3 · Marcato
Limite del bosco
2 · Moderato
Sotto il limite
Senza grado
Non aggiornato — questo bollettino è scaduto 3 years ago. Stai vedendo condizioni passate, non il bollettino in corso.

In sintesi

You are likely to trigger an avalanche in steep terrain today. Avalanches can be triggered from a long distance above, below or at your same elevation. Use conservative decision making as avalanches will be large enough to injure or bury you.

We are sorry to report that a fatal avalanche occurred Sunday in the Salt River Range. The preliminary report can be found here. Our condolences go out to those involved.

Problemi valanghivi

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Weak snow formed during the month-long dry spell in December is sitting 1-3 feet below a slab accumulated in the last week and a half. You will find this problem in most places at upper elevations as well as west through north through east aspects at mid-elevations, where old, weak snow lingers at the base of the snowpack. You will likely trigger an avalanche in wind-affected areas below ridges, cross-loaded gullies, and terrain features. Look for visual clues as you travel including pillows and deeper drifts built by the wind. Shooting cracks from your skies or sled and audible collapses are evidence of weak snow below the surface.

    Give yourself an extra margin for error and steer clear of steep slopes. Be mindful of traveling under steep terrain and only expose one person at a time. It’s a great day for riding low angle powder fields.

    Muitlple natural avalanches on Angle Mountain on east facing terrain at 9,000'.

    Photo: Gabrielle Antonioli

Avalanche Discussion

The snowpack remains reactive. December drought facets, buried surface hoar and crusts are widespread. These weak layers can fail and cracks can propagate long distances. This particular snowpack is ripe for long distance remote triggers and long running avalanches. Keep your head on a swivel as you ride and if you travel onto a slope, make sure it isn't connected to steep terrain above or below you. Pay particular attention to terrain traps such as steep creek beds where even small slopes above could bury you.

The Tetons are at the tail end of possibly a historic avalanche cycle. While there is less snow on Togwotee, similarities exist in the snowpack, and with few observations from Togwotee, it is hard to say with certainty that stability is much better than the Tetons. With more snow coming tomorrow, there isn't much time for the snowpack to adjust to the current load. Use cautious route-finding, or better yet, practice your low angle side-hilling technique in sheltered areas.

 

 

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