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Bulletin d'Avalanche

Bulletin Actuel
Echelle de Danger Emplacements Sûreté Gardes Bulletins Passée
  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.

 
 
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
 
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

TUCKERMAN RAVINE
 Hillman's Highway
  DANGER - GLACE EN CHUTE
 Lower Snowfields
        DANGER - GLACE EN CHUTE
 Little Headwall
     NON SIGNALÉ
 The Bowl
       DANGER - GLACE EN CHUTE
 Headwall
      DANGER - GLACE EN CHUTE
 The Lip
  DANGER - GLACE EN CHUTE
 Left Gully
        DANGER - GLACE EN CHUTE
 Right Gully
          DANGER - GLACE EN CHUTE

HUNTINGTON RAVINE
 Escape Hatch
   NON SIGNALÉ
 South Gully
        NON SIGNALÉ
 Odell's Gully
  NON SIGNALÉ
 Pinnacle Gully
    NON SIGNALÉ
 Central Gully
   NON SIGNALÉ
 Yale Gully
        NON SIGNALÉ
 Damnation Gully
      NON SIGNALÉ
 North Gully
   NON SIGNALÉ

 

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