Date: Dimanche, 24 Février 2002
Temps: 8h36
THE TUCKERMAN BOWL, WHICH INCLUDES THE HEADWALL
AND LIP HAVE MODERATE (MODÉRÉ) AVALANCHE DANGER. Natural
avalanches are unlikely and human triggered avalanches
are possible. There may be some unstable slabs in
these areas. Use extra caaution on and below these
areas. The floor of the ravine is in the fall line
of these slopes.
THE LEFT GULLY, RIGHT GULLY, HILLMANS HIGHWAY,
LOWER SNOWFIELDS, AND LITTLE HEADWALL IN TUCKERMAN
AND ALL OF HUNTINGTON RAVINE HAVE LOW (FAIBLE) AVALANCHE
DANGER. Natural avalanches are very unlikely and
human triggered avalanches are unlikely. There is
generally stable snow, but there may be isolated
pockets of instability. Normal caution is advised.
The headwall and the lip area have picked up the
most snow from the storm friday. Most of it was
blown in. There are large areas of wind swept old
surface in other places, making for low avalanche
danger but with the icy crust a very slick sliding
surface.
Due to the icy surface in many locations crampons,
an ice axe, and mountainering skills are needed
for safe travel.
Another ice dam blew out in Damnation gully earlier
this week sending a climber down slope. Luckily
he was caught by his belayer and was uninjured.
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.
The ski trail is covered, but not by much, so expect
a thin snow cover with a stray rock here and there.
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