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 MODERATE AVALANCHE DANGER. The snow has settled well with this rain and warm temperatures. With the sun peaking through I am a little

	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

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 (faible) 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 (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.

 
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