TUCKERMAN AND HUNTINGTON RAVINES HAVE CONSIDERABLE AVALANCHE DANGER. Natural avalanches are possible and human triggered avalanches are probable. There are unstable slabs on most of the steep slopes.

The summit picked up 5.8 inches of new snow ( 15 cm ) in the last 24 hours with west winds currently at 63 MPH ( 100 KPH ) gusting to 72 MPH ( 120 KPH ), and a peak gust from the west at 108 MPH ( 170 KPH). The new snow combined with the strong west winds have produced considerable loading in the two ravines. With more new precipitation coming in tonight as mostly rain the avalanche danger will increase. The rain will add weight to the snowpack and could cause the snowpack to fail resulting in some large avalanches.

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 weather the new snow has drifted onto or been blown off the trail. Expect drier snow up high with damp to wet snow on the lower 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.

 
Brad Ray, 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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