TUCKERMAN RAVINE HAS BOTH LOW AND MODERATE AVALANCHE DANGER. The Little Headwall, the Lower Snowfields, Hillmans Highway, and Left Gully all 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. Normal caution is advised. All other areas in Tuckerman have Moderate avalanche danger. Natural avalanches are unlikely and human triggered avalanches are possible. Use caution in steeper terrain.

HUNTINGTON RAVINE HAS LOW AVALANCHE DANGER. Natural avalanches are

	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

very unlikely and human triggered avalanches are unlikely except in isolated pockets on steep snow covered open slopes and gullies. Normal caution is advised.

It has been a very windy 24 hours on the summit of Mount Washington. It has blown over 100 mph (161 kph)each hour since yesterday afternoon, with a peak gust of 132 (212 kph) around midnight. It is expected to be over 100 (161 kph) for most of the day subsiding to 90 (145 kph) this afternoon. Due to these winds the summit crew has been unable to do precipatation observations since noon yesterday so we don't have an accurate snow total this morning. Snow showers occured on and off over the past 24 hours with high winds from the west. High winds have the ability to move an enormous amount of snow, but due to the old ice layer many areas have been blown clean. However, expect to find unstable slabs in strong lee areas protected from the winds. Some examples, but not limited to,under the ice on the Headwall, under the Lip, cross loaded areas in the Sluice and Right Gully, and the top of South gully in Huntington. Basically both the old ice surface and new areas of slab can be found in the Ravines depending on where you are. Yesterdays rain generated a very slick surface for the new snow currently loading so watch for the unstable slabs in strong lee areas discussed earlier . This crust should also send a falling climber, skier, or hiker to mach 1 within seconds and perhaps to light speed, so travel carefully and have crampons and an ice axe. FULL ARTIC CONDITIONS EXIST TODAY, THE SUMMIT HAS WINDS OVER 100 MPH (161 KPH) WITH -11 DEGREE F (-24 C) TEMPERATURES. BE PREPARED FOR SOME OF THE WORST WEATHER ON EARTH. To be honest it's a good day for the racquet club.

ICE DAM development should be one of the primary hazards for ice climbers for the next several days. 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 quite thin, so watch for an occasional rock sticking up through. Expect a hard frozen trail under last nights veneer of snow. There are sections of water ice that maybe hidden, especially on the lower third of the trail.

 
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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