Some of you locals might remember reading about this avalanche in the BTNF avalanche forecast on Lava Mountain on Togwotee Pass last week (Friday?). From the words the forecasters used, it sounded big and I really wanted to see it. Sure enough, yesterday…I received an email from a TetonAT visitor with some pictures of the slide and a brief description of the events surrounding it. I thought some of you might like to see them. -Steve
Look how small the snowmobile tracks look in comparison to the slide/crown.
Some neighbors from Iowa brought down the East Face of Lava while snowmobiling last week. About 1/8th of the fact slid. Vaughn is a very lucky man to ride out this avalanche. They said the boulders that came tumbling down were the size of a large school bus. They said the hill was about a 45 degrees. They said the whole north side also looked ready to come down. As you can see, there is a lot of snow left up on the edge ready to fall.
Debris the size of school buses.
He is one lucky person and did not make it to the top when he saw the slide coming at him. He got his sled turned around and got out of the way. He was the first up and the rest were just starting to climb up. They left right away for higher country. The two Carlson guys are members of the Dubois Sno-Katers Club. -Fred
What do you think…10 foot crown? WOW!
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You are from Iowa and you trigger a huge, climax avalanche and you decide to `leave for higher ground`…? wow
really cannot say more than the old adage I.O.W.A = Idiots Out Wandering Around.
thanks for tha back story but goddamn, man!
Yeah Gringo…I’m not sure that part was explained quite right…hopefully.
By “boulders” does he mean snow blocks or did the slide actually move rocks on the slope? It sure dosen’t look like a 45 degree slope in the pic, not being familiar with the area can you estimate what the slope angle is for me? The size is impressive, at first glance I presumed the snowmobile tracks were ski tracks.
I think he DID mean snow blocks when he said boulders. Hard to tell the true angle…since the perspective of the photos can really skew things. I could see it being 40-45 degrees though.
I’ve skied, well split-boarded, this mountain- actually the exact same line. Had a great St. Patty’s day up there a few years back. You can check out the March 07 TRs on my blog and you’ll find more pics(http://landerbackcountry.blogspot.com/2007_03_01_archive.htm). The slope, at the steepest point, near the top is 35 degrees. I’d say it averages 30 degrees. It’s easy to see understand how an Iowan might exaggerate their angles though. The slide path on this mountain is much bigger than you might imagine. From the highway, I’d say you can only see the top third. We see it go like this every year- maybe not always to the ground though.