After today's snow showers and negative temperatures the Summit should start to rewarm like tasty Thanksgiving leftovers. The beginning of the weekend looks to provide some nice clear weather to work off the lingering turkey coma. Temperatures will rise going into the start of the week and some wet weather may provide an light hosing. We'll keep our fingers crossed. Keep an eye on the weather as things may, and usually do, change on a frequent basis! A change to a snow event could create new avalanche potential in the mountains. Watch the precipitation pattern closely over the next week.

This is an early season GENERAL AVALANCHE ADVISORY. Use of the 5-scale danger rating system will begin when conditions warrant. Until then new advisories will be issued as needed. A General Advisory is issued when instabilities are isolated within the forecast area. However it's important to realize that avalanche activity may occur within these locations before the issuance of a 5-scale forecast. This is a critical fact to remember. Under a General Advisory you need to make your own avalanche stability assessments before venturing onto any open slopes. Realize that snowfields may be developing on existing summer trails. Check tuckerman.org frequently as we move through the end of the month and into December. Always check the latest avalanche advisory before heading into avalanche terrain.

GENERAL EARLY SEASON CONCERNS- We are in early winter in the high mountains so don't plan on being able to follow summer trails safely. Trails going through ravines and gulfs require winter gear and equipment. Be aware that a small slab or sluff can be dangerous. This is particularly true in the steep gullies and slopes of Tuckerman and Huntington Ravines for early season ice climbers. As climbers pick their way through a route they will usually cross small pockets of snow. Often this snow has been deposited over blue ice, making for a poor bond at the interface. Consider this ahead of time and place protection before crossing suspect slopes. It doesn't take much snow to knock you off your feet and depending how high you are this could be a significant problem. Remember if a snowfield is big enough to recreate on, it's big enough to avalanche.

Be aware of falling ice if we get into thaw periods before the real deep winter freeze. Many folks have been injured and killed by falling ice so pay attention to where you are, and don't linger when under ice. Have a plan in mind about what you will do and where you will go if ice comes down. Station yourself near a large rock to duck behind in the event of ice fall.

Don't wait any longer to refresh your avalanche skills. Pull out your beacon, install some fresh high quality alkaline batteries, and practice. Review your safe travel rules, techniques for assessing snow stability, and sign up for an avalanche course. We now have all the avalanche courses offered in the valley this winter on our website, tuckerman.org.