Avalanche Watch until Monday
by Bridger-Teton National Forest Avalanche Center
December 17, 2006
The Bridger-Teton National Forest Avalanche Center has extended the Avalanche Watch until Monday morning, December 18, for the mountainous areas of Sublette, Teton, Lincoln and Fremont Counties above 7,500 feet. The Watch has been extended until 6:00 am Monday morning warning of dangerous, unstable conditions that persist on steep, snow-covered slopes.
“Many natural and human-triggered avalanches have occurred,” states the alert. “The primary hazard over the weekend will be to people who venture into avalanche terrain to recreate and trigger an avalanche. Snowmobilers and skiers have already been caught and partially buried.”
A Winter Storm Warning remains in effect for much of central and far southern Wyoming through Sunday afternoon. The heaviest snow is expected for the southern sections of the state along the I-80 corridor from Rock Springs over to Casper, severely impacting travel. Highway 28 over South Pass will have severe driving conditions with snow-covered roads and blowing wind conditions. Some of the coldest basins and valleys could see temperatures of 15 to 20 below zero Monday and Tuesday mornings. Be prepared for much colder temperatures across the region.
There have been 18 fatalities due to avalanches since 2000 in Wyoming and the Big Hole Range of Idaho, reports the BTNF Avalanche Center.
Avalanche Fatalities since 2000, Wyoming and Big Hole Range of Idaho:
11/27/00, Marl Nielson, 41, Hunter, Hoodoo Creek-Absaroka Range
12/01/00, Joel Roof, 28, Backcountry Snowboarder, Glory Bowl-Teton Range
12/0900, Jonathan Beall, 29, Backcountry Skier, Titmouse Ridge-Teton Pass
02/06/01, Ralph toscano Jr, 43, Lift Skier out of area, Rock Springs-Teton Range
02/23/01, Allen Wagner, 24, Lift Skier out of area, Granite Canyon-Teton Range
03/03/01, Jay Almos, Snowmobiler, Leigh Bowl-Salt River Range
03/12/02, Chance Schiess, 16, Snowmobiler, Grove Creek-Big Horn Range, Idaho
03/21/02, Mike Dollarhide, 32, Backcountry Skier, Jackson Peak-Gros Ventre Range
12/26/02, Snowmobiler, West side of the Snowy Range
01/04/03, Tristan Picot, 19, Backcountry Snowboarder, Near Ski Lake-Teton Range
01/05/03, Joshua Richins, 16, Snowmobiler, Balls Mountain-Salt River
01/25/03, Marshall Heverly, 44, Snowmobiler, Kettle Creek-Togwotee Pass
01/27/03, Pavel Volf, 27, Backcountry Skier, Avalanche Bowl-Teton Pass
02/10/03, Steve Haas, 41, Lift Skier Closed Area, Hourglass Couloir-Teton Range
02/24/03, Mark Loveland, 41, Snowmobiler, Smiths Fork-Salt River Range
01/31/04, Ray Azar, 48, Backcountry Skier, Pyramid Peak-Teton Range
12/27/05, Jesse Humphries, 21, Snowmobiler, Split Rock-Togwotee Pass
01/05/06, Laurel Dana, Backcountry Skier, 43, Mt Taylor-Teton Range
Related Links:
BTNF Avalanche Center
South Pass Hwy 28 WYDOT webcam (view East)
South Pass Hwy 28 WYDOT webcam (view West)
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