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 LOW AVALANCHE DANGER. HOWEVER THE AVALANCHE DANGER IS INCREASING WITH THE NEW SNOW TODAY SO BE PREPARED FOR AN INCREASE IN THE RATING.

	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

The warm temperatures yesterday and an occasional peak at the sun has helped to stabilize the snow pack. The summit has been below freezing for nearly the last 24 hours so yesterdays wet snow is now frozen to various depths depending on the elevation. The 0600 temperature on the summit was 22 degrees F and the temperature in Tuckerman is currently 30 degrees F. It started snowing about 0430 and it is still coming down. We have about 1 inch so far, but it is unknown how much we will get today. You will need to use your avalanche skills as conditions change today.

It is best to ski where others have already skied as this helps to stabilize the slope. Watch for untracked snow above you and move to the side as anyone skies untracked snow above.

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