Like many of you, I have been starting to feel a lot better about the Teton snowpack.
But after today, I am again…sick to my stomach.
Fearing wind more than avalanches today, I got out with a friend to attempt a line I have been looking at and wanting to ski for a long time. Unfortunately, it was completely wind hammered, so the plan evolved into touring south along SnowDevil Ridge (which connects 25 Short with Peak 10,696 in Grand Teton National Park) and seeing what else we could get our hands into. Coming to a high point just north of Peak 10,696, I saw what looked to be a 6′ crown from a very recent avalanche in what has been called Snow Devil Couloir by some…about 10-15 yards from the skin track and right where the slope rolled over to about 45°. My guess is that it released today, either naturally…or remotely, from the large 6+ person group putting in the skin track about 15 minutes ahead of us .
I post this as a continued reminder to us all of us that we are still dealing with a very fragile snowpack, even though the avalanche danger has now been downgraded to moderate by BTNF, and our snowpits seem to be telling a different story. Steep faces, convexities, unsupported from snow beneath…seem to still be very dangerous. I think I’ve skied this line before and on this tour, it was even thought of as Plan E. Today, it would have killed us.
It’s time like these that I practice skiing with a smile. That’s what it’s all about.
While clamping down on your AvaLung I hope!
Steve,
The crown was not there today at 8:15am when I glassed the range as I do most mornings with visability. Thanks for confirming my 1:00pm check. There were other slides observed above 10,000′ in the last 24 hours. We should continue to dial it back.
Dave
Thanks for the confirmation Dave! I’d be curious to hear what else slid. Wonder how much the sun will effect the danger the rest of this week and weekend.
Patience young Jedis…Patience.
I don’t mean to flame (shades of the Spaghetti incident), but according to Turiano the ridge is actually called “Snow Devil Ridge.” Some of us have been referring for a while to this slide path as “Snow Devil Couloir,” for lack of a better name.
Scary stuff. It seems there’s more spatial variability in the snowpack this year than usual. No matter what the stability seems in general, confidence will remain low for a long time..
Thanks for your amazing photos! I love my new skis, but I’m sticking to the flat stuff out of avalanche territory! Also, I just wanted to let you know yesterday’s letter to the editor was a total cheap shot, and completely unfair. It was just wrong of the paper to publish that crap! Peace, Sooz
I guess this is the season of steep, dark, tight trees.
Thanks for the clarification Laddie.
Glad you’re liking your new skis Sooz. I agree with you 100% about the letter in the paper and I voiced my opinion to the editor. What doesn’t kill me…makes me stronger!!
you got referenced on todays BT forcast…
Huh…maybe everyone’s NOT out to get me??
All were fresh, similar sized width and depth viewed yesterday morning on steeper E to SE aspects above 10,000′ on Prospector, 11,094 and Static. Probably all natural releases but they were in sheep terrain.
Steve,
Why would you even have thought about skiing terrain like that today? We in Colorado are also starting to see signs of a stabilizing snowpack, which is adding to the confidence of skiing bigger terrain. However, I don’t believe anyone I ski with would attempt to push that type of terrain here in the Elk Range. I wouldn’t ski anything over 34 degrees right now. Although the snowpack(mainly midpack) is starting to come together we still have signs of deep instabilites lurking low. The areas we are skiing have about a 10ft+ settled snowpack. You are a very avy savy BC skier who has a tremendous knowledge base when it comes to snow. It seems that 45 degree terrain would scare the %$!$ out of you with what we have all seen so far this year. This question is merely for discussion purposes only.
Great pic Steve. Thanks for keeping us all up to date. not everyone is out to get you.
Chad….like I said…this was potentially Plan E…and more of just an after thought as were trying to salvage the day. It wasn’t really the priority…and we weren’t necessarily on the way to ski it when we were traversing the ridge…more just enjoying the day and looking at the peaks…trying to decide how to get back down to the valley since our original objective wasn’t looking that great. Most snow pits these days tell a story of a stabilizing snowpack and I had skied the Sliver on Nez Perce a few days earlier, a steep couloir, that didn’t slide at all.
Thanks Ted! I have a pretty good idea of who wrote that letter.
Not out to get anyone. As I stated in my last sentance…”Discussion purposes only”. I was merely leaving a comment. I’m actually a very big fan/supporter of the website, and enjoy all commentary. However, if you don’t like peoples comments….don’t provide the ability to leave a comment.
BTW: I doubt you know who I am.
Chad - I’ll jump for Steve here and say that We were not referring to you in anyway. I’m sure he appreciates your comments.
Ted Kyle
Chad’s thread does bring up a point regarding the differences in avalanche hazard perception between different regions. I live in the Sawatch range in Colorado, which boasts a sketchier snowpack then even the Elk range. A moderate forecast rating for me still requires meticulous planning, extreme caution, and the willingness to bail on anything over 34 degrees. The spatial variability in our snowpack is stunning. If I was used to the kind of bomber snowpack that I found in the Tetons last winter, I would be getting after it more than I am now. But when you see sketchy conditions year after year, as we do here in Colorado, it really puts a damper on your enthusiasm and willingness to push the limits. I often wonder if this is a mental limitation, or simply the reality of where I live. I sometimes ask myself: if Steve lived here, would he be skiing all the lines I only look at, or would he pick a different sport? Of course, his skills are far beyond mine, so I continue to read about Teton exploits for inspiration and encouragement.
Be safe out there, but get after it when you can!
Hey Everyone-My buddy Nate and I saw fresh Black Bear tracks yesterday on the very top of the ridge just west of Unskiabowl near Mt. Glory. They were FRESH.
BEAR tracks? Sounds fishy…maybe wolverine??? Big Chris might be able to helps us with that one.
The snowpack definitely has me thinking a bit differently these days…much like how our Colorado friends must have felt in past years. It’s creepy!
We were surprised too but it would have to be one big-ass wolverine with a paw print 7 in long and 4 in wide.
steve Stenger, how long were the claws?
It’s not unlikely to see a bear or bear sign when it is as warm as it was today. If it warms up enough for them to feel it in their den they will come out.
A few years ago while on an attempt on Buck during a January inversion my partner and I skinned by an open den. Shortly after we saw a grizz run between us and a group below us.
A few weeks later, on Shovel Slide, I nearly rode into an open den also during a significant inversion.
chalk up one more danger lurking in the tetons. got your bearspray?
Last year I saw a BIG wolverine crossing an open slope in the same vicinity. Because of its size I thought it might be a bear until it started moving. Then it was obviously a wolverine. I was able to watch it for a while as it moved across the slope, thought about climbing a lone snag, then moved on. Maybe the same???
Thanks East Idaho. I remember seeing a wolverine in Upper Berry Creek in the north end of GTNP a bunch of years ago, and from afar….it looked like a bear.