TUCKERMAN RAVINE HAS BOTH LOW AND MODERATE AVALANCHE DANGER. The Lower Snowfields, the Little Headwall, and Left Gully all have Low avalanche danger. Human triggered avalanches are unlikely EXCEPT IN ISOLATED POCKETS on steep snow covered open slopes and gullies. These pockets do exist so pay attention to your route. Normal caution is advised. All othe areas in Tuckerman have Moderate avalanche danger. Natural avalanches are unlikely and human triggered avalanches are POSSIBLE. Use caution in steeper terrain. I don't believe areas are quite at Considerable today therefore the Moderate rating. But be aware that there are unstable slabs out there. Some areas of concern are the Lip, the Sluice and areas of Right Gully, but realize that unstable slabs are not limited to these areas.

HUNTINGTON RAVINE HAS LOW AVALANCHE DANGER. Natural avalanches are very unlikely and human triggered avalanches are unlikely EXCEPT IN ISOLATED POCKETS. Normal caution is advised. Isolated pockets do exist in Huntington as well. Some good examples are the Escape Hatch, South Gully, and Central Gully. Again pockets aren't limited to these locations, but are primary areas for concern. These gullies are often used as decent routes and history has shown that climbers often tune out a bit after their climb. So pay attention if decending these gullies today.

The summit received no new precipatation, but it looks like things could get ugly tonight and tomorrow. Valley forecasts predict 50 degrees with rain for the later half of the weekend so it is very unlikely that we will escape it up here in the mountains. So expect rain in avalanche terrain on Sunday before turning back to snow. EXPECT AN INCREASING AVALANCHE DANGER IF THIS OCCURS.

ICE DAMS should be expected due to the warm temperatures over the past few days followed by the cold front bringing the summit back below 0 degrees F. This has been a common theme this winter due to our extreme temperature swings. There have been numerous close calls this winter so be prepared for this climbing hazard.

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. The new snow should help, but the steep sections have been bare before Wednesday's precipatation. So use caution as this new snow may hide bare rock underneath and please stay on route to minimize climber impacts. Consider it good practice to move slow and thoughtfully with crampons on rock. This is a difficult steep route so crampons, ice axe, and mountaineering skills are essential.

The ski trail is doing a little better with the new snow, but expect icy patches due to the high winds scouring the trail in areas. Expect a thin snow cover 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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