TUCKERMAN AND HUNTINGTON RAVINES BOTH HAVE LOW AND MODERATE AVALANCHE DANGER. In TUCKERMAN RAVINE the Little Headwall and the Lower Snowfields have LOW avalanche danger. Natural avalanches are very unlikely and human triggered avalanches are unlikely except in isolated pockets on steep snow covered open slopes and gullies. All other areas in TUCKERMAN have MODERATE avalanche danger. Natural avalanches are unlikely and human triggered avalanches are possible. Use caution in steeper terrain. In HUNTINGTON RAVINE South and Central gullies have MODERATE avalanche danger. Natural avalanches are unlikely and human triggered avalanches are possible. Use caution in steeper terrain. All other areas in Huntington have LOW avalanche danger. Human triggered avalanches are unlikely except in isolated pockets.

The summit received 2 inches (5 cm) of new snow out of the W and WNW at between 30-50 mph (50-80 kph). Precipatation began as grapel with light winds, but as the day continued winds increased generating a slab over this loose unconsolidated layer. This new slab has enough elastic properties to propagate shooting cracks which is disconcerting considering the underlying loose grapel. So..stay to the old ice surface whenever possible to avoid these areas of new snow. Some areas such as South and Central gullies in Huntington have Moderate avalanche danger due to the instability of this new snow. I believe with some route finding skill these locations could be climbed without excessive risk. However, close your mind to snow instability and wander into new snow and you could get in trouble. So keep your eyes open today and you should have a safe fun day.

Due to the icy surface in many locations crampons, an ice axe, and mountainering skills are needed for safe travel.

Another ice dam blew out in Damnation gully earlier this week sending a climber down slope. Luckily he was caught by his belayer and was uninjured. Water running from ice tool placements have been reported in numerous locations so be cautious for hydrolic pressure and ice dams in commonly found areas such as over the top of bulges and steep columns.

THE LION'S HEAD WINTER ROUTE IS OPEN. Follow the orange Lion Head signs off of the Tuckerman Ravine trail about 1.75 miles up from Pinkham. This is a difficult steep route so crampons, ice axe, and mountaineering skills are essential.

The ski trail is covered, but not by much, so expect frozen conditions with a stray rock here and there.

 
PLEASE REMEMBER:
 
• Any new precipitation may increase the avalanche danger, this includes wind transported snow.
 
• Obtain latest weather forecast before starting out.
 
• For more information, contact the U.S. Forest Service Snow Rangers: AMC at Pinkham Notch Visitor Center or Hermit Lake Shelters.
 
• This bulletin expires today at midnight and the next avalanche bulletin will be issued tomorrow.

 
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

 
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