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
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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
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BE ALERT - BE AWARE
BE ICE SMART
WHITE MOUNTAIN National Forest |
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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