THERE IS A WINTER STORM WARNING FOR THE WHITE MOUNTAINS TODAY. 8 INCHES (20 CM) OF SNOW IS EXPECTED.

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

Well yesterday's beautiful spring weather has left us and winter has once again returned. Snow is expected through the day into this evening. Snow began here at Hermit Lake with a temperature of 34 degrees F (.5 c) so I expect good adhesion with the old surface. As the storm continues temperatures are expected to fall and winds should shift and increase. Currently winds are from the east, but are expected to be from the west later in excess of 60 mph. As this occurs slabs should build quickly in both ravines as drier snow should load more easily. I expect failures to occur above the interface with the old surface. Slabs should develop over loose snow which should become the weak layer over the next 24 hours. SO, AS SNOW CONTINUES TODAY EXPECT AN INCREASING AVALANCHE DANGER. WE MAY PICK UP ENOUGH PRECIPATATION TO INCREASE THE RATING TO CONSIDERABLE OR MORE. WATCH SNOW AMOUNTS, INTENSITY, DENSITY (WATER EQUIV.), AND WINDS. MAKE CONSERVATIVE DECISIONS TODAY.

THE LION'S HEAD WINTER ROUTE IS OPEN. 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. ON SATURDAY NIGHT WE RESCUED 4 INDIVIDUALS, ONE OF WHICH WAS INJURED, DUE TO THE LACK OF APPROPRIATE EQUIPMENT. MOUNTAINEERING BOOTS, CRAMPONS (not step ins or sidewalk ice knubs), AND AN ICE AXE ARE NEEDED!!

BE AWARE OF FALLING ICE! Due to it being both winter and spring up here this hazard will come and go with warm and cold temperatures. When it's warm and sunny this hazard will increase and when it's 10 degrees F and blowing at 100 mph the hazard will subside. Each year over 1000 tons of ice forms on the headwall in Tuckerman Ravine. In the spring it all comes down, often in pieces larger than cars. Many folks have been injured and even killed by falling ice. Pay attention to where you are, do not linger under ice. Have a plan in mind about what you will do if ice comes down. Station yourself near a large rock to duck behind in the event of ice fall. BE ICE SMART!

The John Sherburne ski trail has variable conditions depending on the temperature. Currently there is about an inch and a half new snow over soft to slushie 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

 
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