TUCKERMAN AND HUNTINGTON RAVINES HAVE LOW AVALANCHE DANGER. Natural avalanches are very unlikely and human triggered avalanches are unlikely except in isolated pockets on steep snow covered open slopes and gullies. There is generally stable snow and normal caution is advised.

Well if you've been visiting Mount Washington over the past few days you've been quite lucky. Beautiful clear skies and generally stable snow has made for agreeable skiing, riding, and climbing conditions. Although conditions are favorable right now if a stretch of warm weather or rain enters the picture coverage may change rapidly. We have been hovering at about 41 inches on the ground for the last 3 weeks. We have received almost 2 feet of new snow in that period, but warm weather here and there has caused rapid settlement. The first half of the winter brought us constant snow, but usually only an inch or two at a time. This, in association with moderate to high W and NW winds, loaded lee slopes filling in gullies and open slopes. However, the Tuckerman Ravine trail and the Sherburne ski trail to Hermit Lake, were not that effected by this daily light snow. So.. unless snow really begins to pick up in March and April, (there is still plenty of time) plan on coming a little earlier than usual if you want to ski out to Pinkham. Rain is forecasted state wide tomorrow into Thursday. We'll have to wait and see if that occurs in the mountains as well. Check the Avalanche Bulletin on Wednesday and Thursday for updates before heading into avalanche terrain. Rain on snow may rapidly increase the avalanche danger.

Water running from ice tool placements have been reported in numerous locations so be cautious for hydrolic pressure and ice dams in commonly found areas such as over the top of bulges and steep columns.

THE LION'S HEAD WINTER ROUTE IS OPEN. Follow the orange Lion Head signs off of the Tuckerman Ravine trail about 1.75 miles up from Pinkham. This is a difficult steep route so crampons, ice axe, and mountaineering skills are essential.

Coverage on the John Sherburne ski trail is fairly good, but we did lose some snow with the weekend's warm weather. Expect conditions to be a bit firm as the entire trail went above freezing on Saturday.

 
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

 
RETOUR