Date: Friday, May 17, 2002
Time: 11:24 a.m.
WE ARE NOW POSTING BULLETINS ON AN AS NEEDED BASIS
AS CONDITIONS CHANGE SO YOU MAY NOT SEE A NEW BULLETIN
EVERY DAY. WE ARE THROUGH FORECASTING FOR HUNTINGTON
RAVINE FOR THE SEASON. YOU WILL NEED DO YOUR OWN
STABILITY ASSESSMENT WHEN ENTERING THIS AREA. THERE
WILL BE A DANGER OF FALLING ICE FOR THE REST OF
THE SPRING.
TUCKERMAN RAVINE HAS MODERATE AVALANCHE DANGER.
The snow has settled well with this rain and warm
temperatures. With the sun peaking through I am
a little
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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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worried that this could cause some point
release wet slides. These can also be human triggered.
They USUALLY run slow and are not too big, but
being buried in one will surely spell disaster as
they set up immediately like cement. The Lower Snowfields
and the lower half of Hillmans have low avalanche
danger, but with Hillmans it's the upper half that
could cause trouble. Use extra caution on untracked
snow and for any untracked snow above you.
The weather forecasters predict more showers tonight
and tomorrow so keep informed of the current weather
conditions. The temperature on the summit at 0600
was 37 degrees F and at 0952 the temperature was
26 degrees F, so winter conditions could return
and freeze this very wet snow.
THE LIP IS CLOSED TO ALL USE DUE TO CREVASSES
AND UNDERMINED SNOW. THE TUCKERMAN RAVINE TRAIL
THRU THE RAVINE (FROM LUNCH ROCKS TO THE JCT. WITH
THE ALPINE GARDEN TRAIL) IS CLOSED TO ALL USE BECAUSE
OF CREVASSES and UNDERMINED SNOW. ANY FALL ON THIS
SECTION WILL LIKELY END IN ROCKS OR IN A CREVASSE.
Lion Head Summer trail is an alternate route, but
it may have an avalanche hazard. Be aware of this
and make a snow stability assesment before using
this area.
BE AWARE OF FALLING ICE! Each year over 1000 tons
of ice forms on the Headwall in Tuckerman Ravine
and the gullies of Huntington 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!
Expect more undermined snow as we get into late
spring. As water running underneath the snowpack
continues to create open spaces the potential for
collapasing will increase. Hopefully you won't be
on the snow when it happens.
THE LION HEAD SUMMER TRAIL IS OPEN. Realize the
summer trail still has large steep snow traverses.
A fall here may see you going over a cliff band
so you will need crampons and an ice axe to travel
safely in this area. These snowfields may also be
an excellent sliding surface for avalanche activity
for all the new snow we have been receiving as well
as the chance for more snow. This is always a possibility
during May at 5000 ft. MOUNTAINEERING BOOTS, CRAMPONS,
AND AN ICE AXE ARE NEEDED!
THE JOHN SHERBURNE SKI TRAIL IS NOW CLOSED TO ALL
USE. TO PREVENT EROSION TO THE SKI TRAIL PLEASE
USE THE TUCKERMAN RAVINE TRAIL FOR HIKING BOTH UP
AND DOWN FROM PINKHAM NOTCH. There is no skiing
or riding allowed on the Tuckerman ravine 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 will be updated on an as needed basis
as conditions change.
Brad Ray, Snow Ranger
USDA Forest Service
White Mountain National Forest
(603) 466-2713 TTY (603) 466-2856