Tuckerman Ravine has LOW avalanche danger today. Natural avalanches are very unlikely and human triggered avalanches are unlikely except in isolated pockets. Normal caution is advised. We are no longer issuing an avalanche forecast for Huntington Ravine this season. A danger of falling ice exists and will persist until it all comes down.

TOMORROW WE WILL ISSUE THE LAST ADVISORY OF THE SEASON DISCUSSING THE HAZARDS WE BELIEVE WILL EXIST UNTIL FULL MELTOUT.

Well,... how things change. The nice weather forecast for today has fallen

	WARNING ICE FALL DANGER MASSIVE BLOCKS OF ICE THE SIZE OF AUTOMOBILES TRAVEL AT HIGH SPEEDS, HIT ROCKS, AND SEND DEADLY SHRAPNEL IN ALL DIRECTIONS ——————————— BE ALERT - BE AWARE BE ICE SMART   WHITE MOUNTAIN National Forest

apart as the cold front slowed substantially over the past 12 hours. This has put off drier air associated with the incoming high pressure until the end of the day. The summit forecast is calling for showers likely this morning followed by a chance of showers and thunderstorms this afternoon as convective cells grow with atmospheric instability. Moisture is expected to move out overnight as the high builds into tomorrow. Although sun will dominate on Memorial Day so will the flow of cooler air so you should be ready for frozen snow surfaces during the morning hours.

While climbing an ice axe and crampons greatly increase your chances of staying on your feet and being able to self-arrest should you fall. Think about the impact of sliding falls, whether you are climbing up or skiing down and be very mindful of your run-out and what you might hit below. A number of traditional runs currently have large areas of rock beneath them making a fall undesirable. Two good examples of this problem can be found under the Chute and the Sluice. Another issue to pay close attention to is the undermining potential around the outer edges of the current snowline. As an example the top of the Sluice has holes 20+ feet deep as it has become undercut by running water. Always be particularly cautious around the edges of the late season snowpack. Hillman's Highway and the south side of Tuckerman such as Left Gully have fewer objective hazards. These locations are not completely free of hazards, but they have a much lower risk than others that have crevasses and a higher degree of falling ice potential. The main issues you will find in Left Gully and Hillman's are areas of undermined snow, particularly around the pinch points and the outer edges of existing snow. These 2 locations are certainly still worth it but are shrinking by the day. Hillman's requires a short bush whack to get into the bottom of the existing snow. Above that there is a 10 foot (3M) break in snow so the preferable strategy may be to do laps on the middle section. In Left Gully a thin ribbon of snow still exists to ski into the bowl at the bottom of the gully, but very soon it will require a short bush push with skis off.

THE TUCKERMAN RAVINE TRAIL IS CLOSED TO ALL USE FROM LUNCH ROCKS TO THE JUNCTION WITH THE ALPINE GARDEN TRAIL. THIS INCLUDES THE LIP AREA AND THE SECTION OF THE HIKING TRAIL FROM THE FLOOR OF THE RAVINE THROUGH THE TOP OF THE HEADWALL. Only this section of the trail is closed. This annual closure is due to the magnitude of crevasses and undermining that develop in the area during the spring melt-out. A fall here would have severe consequences.

ICEFALL will continue to be a significant issue until it has all come down. Warm temperatures will encourage ice to detach and fall from its winter hibernation. The Center Headwall currently poses the greatest threat, though no area is completely immune from icefall potential. Always be aware of what is above you and have a plan in mind for what you will do if icefall occurs. CREVASSES exist in many areas and rival icefall as the primary concern for visitors. Although the Lip, Headwall, and upper Bowl have the greatest concentration of crevasses, many other areas have growing fissures as well. These may be very difficult to see from above so remember to always climb up what you plan on descending to allow you to assess the hazards at a more leisurely pace. Also be on the lookout for UNDERMINED AND COLLAPSING SNOW around crevasses as well as on the edges of snowfields and around rocks.

The John Sherburne Ski Trail is closed to all use for the season. The Lion Head Summer Trail is now open, however it still has a short section where it traverses steep snow.

 
PLEASE REMEMBER:
 
• It is impossible to accurately predict natural events, such as avalanches, in every instance. This Advisory is one tool to help you make your own decisions in avalanche terrain. It should be used along with safe travel techniques, snow stability assessments, an understanding of weather's effect on the snowpack, and proficiency in avalanche rescue.
 
• You should obtain the latest weather forecast before heading into the mountains. Anticipate a changing avalanche danger when actual weather differs from the higher summits forecast.
 
• For more information, contact the U.S. Forest Service Snow Rangers or the AMC at the Pinkham Notch Visitor Center or Hermit Lake Shelters. This advisory will expire at midnight.

 
Christopher Joosen, Snow Ranger
USDA Forest Service
White Mountain National Forest
(603) 466-2713 TTY (603) 466-2856

	TUCKERMAN RAVINE
	Hillman's Highway
	Lower Snowfields
	Little Headwall
	The Bowl
	Headwall
	The Lip
	Left Gully
	Right Gully

	HUNTINGTON RAVINE
	Escape Hatch
	South Gully
	Odell's Gully
	Pinnacle Gully
	Central Gully
	Yale Gully
	Damnation Gully
	North Gully