Bollettino valanghe

Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Pericolo valanghe

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

In sintesi

Careful snowpack assessment is necessary today as recent snow this last week lies on poor bonding interfaces creating dangerous conditions. Soft slabs 2-3 feet deep can be triggered in steep terrain. Use conservative terrain choices and evaluate the stability of recent snow thoroughly while traveling in avalanche terrain over 30°.

Problemi valanghivi

  • Storm Slabs

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

    Incremental loading of recent snow over the last week (since Feb 3rd) has formed soft slabs 2-3 feet deep. These slabs lie on a variety of poor interfaces and are slowly adjusting to the old snow surfaces. Even though we haven’t seen much activity, there is a possible to likely chance of triggering an avalanche. Due to the potential large size of these avalanches, remain suspicious of this recent snow (especially N/NE facing slopes). Performing simple hand shear tests is a great strategy to assess how the recent snow is bonding. Extended column tests provide even more data and help you gain insight into the character of the slab firmness and old snow interface. 

    Wind slabs can also be found isolated on W-SE aspects primarily above 9000’. Areas where you find wind drifted snow will be deeper and more sensitive to triggering. Look for signs of wind drifted snow such as distinct hardness changes, large pillows/drifts, and altered snow surface texture.

    (2/7/2024)

    This avalanche was 2' thick,  occured on a 30 degree slope and was triggered from a distance on Feb 7 in the Snake River Range. NE aspect, 8800'.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alta quota
    • Limite del bosco
    • Sotto il limite del bosco
    Probabilità
    Possible
    Dimensione
    1.5–3

    Above 7500’ hard slabs 3-5 feet deep lie above weak snow formed in December. Although the likelihood of triggering is decreasing, the possibility remains. Recent snow has added stress to these weak layers. Triggering a deep slab avalanche is most likely where the overlying slab is thin and riders can impact the weak layer. Any terrain with an overall shallow snowpack is concerning including very steep, convex, rocky and heavily wind affected slopes. Avalanches involving new snow could step down to these deeper layers in steep and sustained terrain.

Avalanche Discussion

The Snake and Salt River Ranges have received around 32” of snow with nearly 3” of snow water equivalent (SWE) in the last week. The Wyoming Range received closer to 20” with 1.5” of SWE. The main problem today is assessing how that snow is bonding. Yesterday I spoke with numerous snowmobile groups down in the Salt River Range. We discussed how important information sharing can be when it comes to backcountry travel. The more eyes and ears we have in the mountains, the more data we can collect and the more informed we can all be on avalanche conditions. The Greys forecast zone covers three separate mountain ranges, and the snowpack between each range varies dramatically. It’s important to read the forecast, and use the information explained above to assess the snowpack for yourself. 

On behalf of the avalanche center, I thank you all very much for the increased amount of observations in the zone this season. Keep em coming! Information aside from recent avalanches is also important. Let us know what you see out there in the mountains. 

Regioni coperte