Today's concerns essentially mirror those of the past couple of days. Snow stability is much less of a concern than the slew of hazards associated with post-thaw conditions. Probably the easiest way to get yourself hurt on the mountain today is the classic slip and fall. Sure, a misstep on the Tucks Trail has the potential to give you a wicked charlie horse, sprained wrist or bruised ego but the falls in steeper terrain are the real watchout situation. Crampons, an ice axe and the ability to self arrest without having to recall the how-to steps from Freedom of the Hills will help prevent you from taking the big ride. Even though it may make you want to throw yourself into a crevasse, I would recommend singing "Rocket Man" to yourself while ascending steep open slopes so that the potential for record-setting velocity stays in the forefront of your mind. Yesterday's field observations found phenomenal surface conditions in each ravine that were ideal for cramponing as well as breaking the sound barrier if you fell.

Ice climbers who are looking to quench their appetite for tool-swinging have a few additional hazards to be on the watch for. Ice dams, though decreasing in likelihood, are still a possibility and reports from the gullies yesterday described plenty of water still on the move behind ice. Additionally a number of parties observed detached ice that was left behind after last week's January thaw. Use a scrutinizing eye before launching up an inviting flow or winding a screw into a detached curtain. Rock gear may be very helpful to safeguard your passage up a gully. Overall the gullies held on pretty well despite losing a fair amount of snow and ice to the high temps, warm rain and hungry fog of last week. We'll post some photos on our website later today for those of you who couldn't make the trek up this weekend.

The layers of the snowpack that are currently closest to the surface will stay on our radar as new snow approaches for arrival on Monday. Some near surface faceting has occurred over the past few days and may form a weak layer for future avalanches. Right now it looks like the bulk of the storm will be swept to our south but we'll be watching, waiting and doing our own personal snow dances in the privacy of our own homes.

Skiing and riding anywhere on the mountain today will be extremely challenging. Even the Sherburne Ski Trail will be survival skiing so make sure you have laser sharp edges. A mouthguard is recommended to keep your paycheck from being signed over to your dentist.

THE LION HEAD WINTER ROUTE IS OPEN. This is a steep and challenging route for mountaineers. Crampons, an ice axe and the ability to properly use this equipment are recommended for safe travel on this route.