TUCKERMAN AND HUNTINGTON RAVINES HAVE HIGH AVALANCHE DANGER TODAY. Natural and human triggered avalanches are LIKELY. Unstable slabs are likely on a variety of slope angles and aspects. Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended.

The summit received 3 inches (7.5 cm) of snow by 6:30 am and was receiving ice pellets at 27 degrees F (-2 C). Winds are out of the south gusting to 100 mph (167 kph) which has loaded start zones with northern aspects and cross loaded others. We picked up 4.75 inches (12 cm)of snow with a water content of 1.15 inches (2.8 cm) liquid precipatation here at Hermit Lake. We changed over to rain in the early morning hours with a temperature around freezing at 6:00am. At 8:30am it is 37 degrees F (1.5-2.0 C)and raining steady with gusty winds. Rain is forecasted to continue through the day with a possibility of thunderstorms this afternoon! Rain is falling on the new snow and snow from Wednesday and Thursday's storm. Rain adds weight and stress to the snowpack, melts bonds, brings heat down into the pack, and can lubricate ice lens making for a very weak interface. So generally speaking when it begins to rain hard in the mountains it is time to get out of avalanche terrain and head for the hot tub and fondue in your cabin hideaway. As temperatures begin to drop below freezing again overnight watch for a change back over to snow. Due to the current rising temperature the rain is transfering an enormous amount of heat to the snowpack so expect a breakable crust over the next several days. It may take a while for freezing temperatures to move down and firm up the surface, bridging warmer snow beneath.

Some small ICE DAMS and multiple water gushers were witnessed yesterday in Huntington Ravine by several climbers. With colder weather forecasted after this warm spell with rain, you should once again anticipate ice dams this week. 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 high winds scouring the trail in areas. Expect a thin snow cover with a stray rock here and there. Expect very icy conditions after the freeze up tonight with a possible breakable crust.

 
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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