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 (GLACE EN CHUTE) FOR THE REST OF THE SPRING.

TUCKERMAN RAVINE HAS CONSIDERABLE AVALANCHE DANGER. Natural avalanches are POSSIBLE and human triggered avalanches are PROBABLE on steep snow covered open slopes and gullies. Be increasingly

	AVERTISSEMENT DANGER DE GLACE EN CHUTE MASSIVE BLOCKS OF ICE THE SIZE OF AUTOMOBILES TRAVEL AT HIGH SPEEDS, HIT ROCKS, AND SEND DEADLY SHRAPNEL IN ALL DIRECTIONS ——————————— BE ALERT - BE AWARE BE ICE SMART   WHITE MOUNTAIN National Forest

cautious in steeper terrain.

3.9 inches of new snow fell on the summit as of midnight last night while we picked up 5 inches here at Hermit Lake. THIS BRINGS THE TOTAL FOR THE PAST 3 DAYS TO APPROXIMATELY 15.4 INCHES OF SNOW AND ICE PELLETS ON THE SUMMIT AND 21.5 INCHES AT HERMIT LAKE. Winds have come out of the WNW over the past 24 hours between 50 and 70 mph. This has loaded areas in the Ravine with significant amounts of snow. The northern side of the Ravine such as the Lip is in the lee of WNW and NW winds so expect deepest new snow with similiar aspects. Winds are forecasted to shift to the W and increase slightly to 80 mph. These winds are ideal for loading snow into Tuckerman and nearby areas such as the Lion Head summer trail traverses. Snow showers and possibly rain is expected later today, Friday, Saturday and Sunday so once again expect an elevated avalanche danger. Strong sun may bring enough heat into the snowpack to cause loose point release activity today before clouding up later. This could be enough to trigger a larger slide in some areas. This is most likely on southern aspects.

Pay close attention to what is happening with the weather over the next several days. Is new snow loading with high winds? Is it raining? Is it getting warm with lots of solar gain? All of these scenarios can contribute to an elevated avalanche danger. Two weeks ago we had 3 people caught in avalanches during a midweek May snowfall, so be cautious. Remember, the snowpack doesn't care what month it is even though it's almost summer.

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 (GLACE EN CHUTE)! 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 (glace en chute). 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.

 
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