MONSOON MOISTURE & CONTINUED SNOW RETREAT - July 18, 2014
The past couple weeks in the Tetons have been characterized by the establishment of a monsoonal weather pattern with frequent and sometimes severe thunderstorms battering the range. Significant rockfall has occurred as a result of these intense precipitation events in the Stettner Couloir and on the approach to the Upper Saddle on the Grand Teton, as well as in the West Hourglass Couloir on Nez Perce. Pay special attention when traveling in or under these types of couloirs after heavy rainfall events!
The snowpack continues to recede, however, significant snow still remains at mid elevations and on mountain passes. The Meadows in Garnet Canyon, for example, is still almost completely snow-covered and only one of the bear boxes has melted out. Paintbrush Divide remains guarded by firm, steep snow on the east side. Please be careful when venturing out onto these slopes!
