TUCKERMAN RAVINE HAS HIGH AVALANCHE DANGER. Natural and human triggered avalanches are likely. Unstable slabs are likely on a variety of aspects and slope angles. Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended.

HUNTINGTON RAVINE HAS CONSIDERABLE AVALANCHE DANGER. Natural avalanches are possible and human triggered avalanches are probable. Be increasingly cautious in steeper terrain.

The summit received 4 inches (10 cms) of new snow and we picked up 5 inches (12.5 cms) here at Hermit Lake. This new snow brings the total to about 20 inches over the past 4 days. During this period only moderate winds brought new snow into the Ravines. However, last night winds picked up with the passing cold front, which dropped the temperature 45 degrees F (-25 C), and produced winds over 112 mph (180 kph). These winds are currently blowing a tremendous amount of new snow into both Tuckerman and Huntington Ravines. Large drifts were found on all trails up from Pinkham Notch and Route 16. This is an excellent indication what you should find in most avalanche paths. In addition to the avalanche hazard summit conditions are truely artic today. With a current temperature of -19 degrees F and wind blowing steady over 100 mph a summit bid would be absolutely desperate. These weather conditions beg the saying "If anything goes wrong, death is likely". Play it conservative and hit the hot tub today.

We had a couple close calls with dogs and one serious ski edge injury this past weekend. As spring approaches the Ravine will see more and more of our canine friends. Realize this can be a very dangerous place for your dog and you need to be responsible for their safety.

THE LION'S HEAD WINTER ROUTE IS OPEN. However it is deteriorating quickly due to poor snow coverage and warm weather. This new snow should help, but please stay on route to minimize climber impacts to the area. This is critical to keeping the trail open and protecting the resource. 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 an absolute necessity.

The ski trail has variable conditions from large drifts, to powder, to old surface.

 
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

 
BACK TO THE INDEX