All areas of Huntington Ravine have LOW avalanche danger today. Natural avalanches are very unlikely and human triggered avalanches are unlikely except in isolated pockets. Normal caution is advised.

Well, whereas yesterday we figured on winds being a major factor in the Ravines, today we will see wind speeds diminishing and playing less of a role in the overall stability picture. Yesterday's winds did indeed become quite strong, reaching a peak gust of 95mph (153kph) later in the day. Along with being a bit breezy, the Summit picked up 1.5" (3.8cm) of new snow. Across much of Tuckerman Ravine, the snow has been blown into hard, wind-effected slabs. The places where this hasn't happened will be in the strong lee areas, i.e. those protected from the NNW winds, where snow has been allowed to settle more gently into softer slabs. The strength of the existing hard slabs contributes greatly to their stability; however, softer slabs tend to not be as strong, and are more easily impacted by a person traveling through them. The Lip and Headwall are the largest areas in the strong lee of NW winds, so expect to find some areas of softer snow here. As you move south across the Ravine, there has been more wind effect, and therefore greater stability. Even under a Low rating isolated pockets of instability can exist; places such as the climber's right sides of Hillman's Highway and Left Gully are good examples of this. Keeping out of the strong lee areas will help you avoid the most troublesome places. Most of the gullies in Huntington Ravine were hit pretty hard by the winds, either scouring the gullies down to rock, ice, and older surface snow, or pounding the newer snow into stiff slabs. Although all areas are at Low today, there may be pockets of softer slab in strongly protected locations.

Regardless of whether you're climbing, skiing, or hiking, careful routefinding is very important in conditions like what we have now. The variability you'll find as you move from one area to another can be incredible. If you quickly move from barely being able to kick steps into the stiff snow, to being up to your ankles or deeper in softer snow, this should make the hairs on the back of your neck start to stand up. Low danger does not mean no danger. It isn't the size of an avalanche that counts, it's the consequences.

Remember, snow stability assessment and avalanche rescue skill are perishable. You must practice, PRactice, PRACTice, PRACTICE!!! Your life, and those in your group, depends on it! Make sure your partners have been practicing too, since your life is in their hands if you get buried. We have all the avalanche courses offered in the valley this winter on our website, tuckerman.org.

The John Sherburne Ski Trail is open, with continuous snow from top to bottom. Many large waterbars and exposed rocks make this a challenging early season ski. The Lion Head Summer Trail is currently open. The change to the Winter Route will occur when snow conditions warrant. We'll let you know of the change when it takes place.