TUCKERMAN RAVINE HAS BOTH LOW AND MODERATE AVALANCHE DANGER. The Little Headwall, the Lower Snowfields, Hillmans Highway, Left Gully, and Right 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

	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

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.

Hermit Lake received about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of new snow and the summit picked up only 0.6 inches (1.5 cm). Currently we are witnessing snow showers and west winds so anticipate new loading in both Ravines. Winds have subsided considerably since yesterday so expect new snow to deposit in areas that was being blown clean previously. It depends on how much snow this fast moving system generates, but EXPECT AN INCREASING AVALANCHE DANGER THROUGH THE DAY. If precipatation stays consistant today expect the possibility of areas to bump up a rating. I.e. Low to Moderate and Moderate to Considerable. Don't forget about the slick surface snow has and will be depositing onto through the week. A weak interface between layers is likely as the ice crust would make an excellent bed surface for avalanche activity. 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 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. Sunday's 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.

ICE DAM development should be one of the primary hazards for ice climbers in the Ravines. 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 through. Expect a hard frozen trail under a veneer of snow. There are sections of water ice that maybe hidden, especially on the lower third of the trail.

 
PLEASE REMEMBER:
 
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	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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