Date: Thursday, May 15, 2008
Temps: 7:51 a.m.
Tuckerman Ravine has LOW avalanche danger. Natural
avalanches are very unlikely and human triggered
avalanches are unlikely except in isolated pockets.
Normal caution is advised.
A "GENERAL ADVISORY" is currently in effect for
Huntington Ravine. We have finished issuing avalanche
advisories using the U.S. 5-scale danger rating
system for the remainder of the season. You will
need to do your own snow stability assessments when
using avalanche terrain in Huntington Ravine. A
danger of falling ice (glace en chute) exists and will persist until
it all comes down.
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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
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BE ALERT - BE AWARE
BE ICE SMART
WHITE MOUNTAIN National Forest |
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Recent model runs are shifting to drier conditions
for the mountains over the next couple of days.
We'll have a chance of showers today though the
amount of rain forecasted is pretty minor. By late
in the day we expect to see a bit of clearing with
the passage of the surface cold front. Drier air
is expected to follow this clearing and carry through
until the second part of the weekend. Yesterday's
forecast for the same period called for heavy rains
so we'll just have to wait and see how things develop
over the next 12 hours. As clouds lower and thicken
during the day today visibility will decrease and
you'll want to be extra vigilant about the hazards
that will become more difficult to spot.
ICEFALL remains a significant hazard in Tuckerman
Ravine. Large chunks still remain above Lunch Rocks
in the Sluice and in the center Headwall, though
no area is completely immune to icefall. A number
of people had close encounters with icefall recently.
Always be aware of what is above you and have a
plan in mind for what you will do if icefall occurs.
CREVASSES exist in many areas and rival icefall
as the primary concern for visitors. Although the
Lip, Headwall, and upper Bowl have the greatest
concentration of crevasses, most other areas have
begun developing fissures as well. These may be
very difficult to see from above so remember to
always climb up what you plan on descending to allow
you to assess the hazards at a more leisurely pace.
TRAVELING THROUGH THE LIP AREA, INCLUDING THE TUCKERMAN
RAVINE TRAIL FROM LUNCH ROCKS TO THE TOP OF THE
RAVINE, IS NOT RECOMMENDED. The hazards in this
area include deep crevasses directly in the fall
line, undermined snow near the waterfall, and icefall
potential on both sides. Better lines can be found
elsewhere with less exposure to these objective
hazards. The section of trail from Lunch Rocks to
the Alpine Garden is closed annually as crevasses
grow and prevent travel through the Lip. This will
occur over the next couple of days so check the
latest advisory for the status of this closure.
Be on the lookout for UNDERMINED AND COLLAPSING
SNOW around water channels. Skiing and riding down
the Little Headwall is no longer an option. Walk
down the Tuckerman Ravine Trail from the floor of
the ravine to get back to Hermit Lake. The upper
section of the John Sherburne Ski Trail is open
with bare sections that require walking. A rope
and signs mark the end of the skiable trail. At
this point, you'll need to walk across to the Tuckerman
Ravine Trail and hike to Pinkham. The open section
is not long for this world.
The Lion Head Summer Trail is now open. This trail
traverses a steep snow-covered slope just above
treeline. A slip here has the potential to result
in a long sliding fall. We recommend bringing an
ice axe and crampons for safe travel through this
section.
PLEASE REMEMBER:
It is impossible to accurately predict natural events,
such as avalanches, in every instance. This Advisory
is one tool to help you make your own decisions
in avalanche terrain. It should be used along with
safe travel techniques, snow stability assessments,
an understanding of weather's effect on the snowpack,
and proficiency in avalanche rescue.
You should obtain the latest weather forecast before
heading into the mountains. Anticipate a changing
avalanche danger when actual weather differs from
the National Weather Service forecast.
For more information, contact the U.S. Forest Service
Snow Rangers, the AMC caretakers at Hermit Lake,
or the AMC at Pinkham Notch Visitor Center. This
advisory will expire at midnight.
Justin Preisendorfer, Snow Ranger
USDA Forest Service
White Mountain National Forest
(603) 466-2713 TTY (603) 466-2856