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.

It looks like we will be getting some snow, but mostly rain out of this system coming in today and continuing through tomorrow. A rain event in mid winter can be extremely dangerous as very large avalanches are possible as the rain adds weight and lubrication to the snowpack. If it rains an inch or more stay well away from any avalanche terrain. The other problem with rain is the streams and rivers can experience an ice out. In our case it is usually a snow out as the saturated snow (slush) moves down the drainages with great speed and tremendous power. It is not unusual for our trail bridges to be underwater four feet as this slush comes down the mountain. You don't want to be standing on one of the bridges when this happens. You may end up in the ocean!!!

With warm weather and rain, falling ice is something else to be concerned about. Avoid being under any ice or in it's fall line.

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.

 
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

 
RETOUR