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Avalanche Bulletin
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  Date: Wednesday, April 3, 2002
Time: 9:24 a.m.

TUCKERMAN AND HUNTINGTON RAVINES HAVE MODERATE AVALANCHE DANGER. Natural avalanches are unlikely and human triggered avalanches are possible.

It has been raining in Tuckermans with a current temperature of 44 degrees F ( 9 C ) which is setteling the snowpack, but also adding weight as well as lubricating any sliding surfaces under the snow. With little or no more rain the snowpack should continue to stabilize, but with more rain the avalanche danger will increase. This is one of those days where you need
 
 
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
 
to be aware of changing weather and avalanche conditions. It is expected that the temperature will fall later today, changing the now wet snow to an icy crust and a very slick slope. Crampons and an ice axe are necessary for above treeline.

THE LITTLE HEADWALL HAS LOW AVALANCHE DANGER. There is generally stable snow. Watch for areas of undermined snow.

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 good cover with the thinner snow on the bottom. Watch for rocks pokeing thru the snow as melting continues.

 
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
   MODERATE AVALANCHE DANGER
 Lower Snowfields
   MODERATE AVALANCHE DANGER
 Little Headwall
          LOW AVALANCHE DANGER
 The Bowl
        MODERATE AVALANCHE DANGER
 Headwall
    MODERATE AVALANCHE DANGER
 The Lip
         MODERATE AVALANCHE DANGER
 Left Gully
   MODERATE AVALANCHE DANGER
 Right Gully
   MODERATE AVALANCHE DANGER

HUNTINGTON RAVINE
 Escape Hatch
        MODERATE AVALANCHE DANGER
 South Gully
  MODERATE AVALANCHE DANGER
 Odell's Gully
     MODERATE AVALANCHE DANGER
 Pinnacle Gully
   MODERATE AVALANCHE DANGER
 Central Gully
          MODERATE AVALANCHE DANGER
 Yale Gully
        MODERATE AVALANCHE DANGER
 Damnation Gully
      MODERATE AVALANCHE DANGER
 North Gully
   MODERATE AVALANCHE DANGER

 
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