TUCKERMAN RAVINE HAS LOW, MODERATE, AND CONSIDERABLE AVALANCHE DANGER. The Little Headwall and the Lower Snowfields both have Low avalanche danger. Human triggered avalanches are unlikely EXCEPT IN ISOLATED POCKETS. These pockets do exist so keep an eye out. Hillmans Highway has Moderate avalanche danger. Natural avalanches are unlikely and human triggered avalanches are possible on steep snow covered open slopes and gullies. Use caution in steeper terrain particularly high in the northern start zone. All other areas in Tuckerman have Considerable avalanche danger. Natural avalanches are possible and human triggered avalanches are probable. Unstable slabs are probable in steep terrain be increasingly cautious in these areas.

HUNTINGTON RAVINE HAS MODERATE AVALANCHE DANGER. Natural avalanches are unlikely and human triggered avalanches are possible on steep snow covered open slopes and gullies. Use caution in steeper terrain.

Winds have held out of the west in the 40-50 mph (65-80 kph)range for roughly the last 36 hours. These winds have been slowly adding new slab, on top of loose powder, on ice. This combination has made for unstable areas of snow mainly found in strong lee pockets protected from the wind. However, it is a mixed bag out there. EXPECT BOTH UNSTABLE DEEP POCKETS OF SNOW AND A HARD ICY SURFACE. You may find the old icy surface in locations more exposed to the wind. There is still a hard ice crust exposed in many locations making for a slick sliding surface. The icy conditions is currently a Catch-22. In areas where you don't need crampons because of deep new snow you will be in an unstable location. If you are on the ice crust or on just several inches of new snow, on the crust, you will need your crampons. So...crampons are an absolute necessity for walking on any steep surface. Use extra caution with each step. We have had two accidents here in Tuckerman over the past 3 days due to the icy surface. On Tuesday a skier was heading up, without crampons, and fell before getting very far at all. Yesterday two roped climbers fell with crampons on and were brought down into trees and rocks. The exposed ice surface is extremely slick so self arrest has to be instantaneous! Due to the poor snow year so far a fair amount of rocks are in the run out zones of most locales so BRING CRAMPONS AND AN ICE AXE FOR SAFER TRAVEL.

Once again a wintery mix is expected for the weekend. Rain and snow are forecasted with another cold front coming for the second half of the weekend. Temperatures may hit the high 50's in the valley, but it looks a bit more promising than last weeks rain. Check tomorrows weather report before heading out for the weekend.

ICE DAMS and multiple water gushers have been witnessed in Huntington Ravine. 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 colums.

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. Use caution on the trail as there are areas where the rocks are showing. Please stay on route to minimize climber impacts to the area. 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 has full coverage but is pretty firm after the rain and with the current cold temperatures. There are a couple of areas of water ice lower on the trail. All of this is now covered with a veneer of new snow only an inch or two thick hiding most of the icy hazards.

 
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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