7:20 a.m., Tuesday, November 5, 2002

   Winter sure seems to be establishing itself in the mountains! SNOW,
   SNOW, SNOW!! If you haven't already been reviewing your avalanche
   skills get going, winter is here. Be prepared and well practiced in
   snow stability assessment, travel in avalanche terrain, and avalanche
   rescue.

   This is an early season GENERAL ADVISORY. Use of the 5 scale avalanche
   rating system will begin when conditions warrant. Until then new
   advisories will be issued as needed. Check csac.org frequently as
   we move through November and certainly check the latest avalanche
   advisory before heading into avalanche terrain.

   As of midnight we have received 11.8 inches






   of snow since Friday afternoon. 7 inches fell Friday night, 1.6
   Saturday, and 3.2 from yesterday afternoon to 12:00 am last night.
   Over the weekend, pulses of precipitation were associated with NW
   winds from 40-80 mph with a max gust on Friday of 95. Between shots of
   snow winds shifted to come from the SW and W, but generally held from
   the NW during precipitation. Over the past 24 hours winds moved from
   WSW to the NW during light precipitation and are expected to move to
   the North later today and subside to 20 mph with scattered snow
   showers. THERE IS A WINTER STORM WATCH FOR WEDNESDAY WITH 6 INCHES OR
   MORE EXPECTED FOR THE VALLEYS WITH RAIN POSSIBLE NEAR THE TAIL END OF
   THE PRECIPITATION. WHETHER OR NOT WE RECEIVE RAIN IN THE MOUNTAINS IS
   STILL A BIT EARLY TO TELL, BUT EXPECT THE PROBABILITY FOR HEAVIER SNOW
   AFTER LIGHTER SNOW HAS ALREADY FALLEN. THIS MAY MAKE FOR A CLASSIC
   UNSTABLE 'INVERTED' SNOWPACK, ESPECIALLY IF WE DO END IN RAIN.

   W and NW winds have continued to load new snow onto small snowfields
   high in Left Gully, the Chute, high on the north or right side of
   Tuckerman, and up on the E and NE side of the summit cone. These
   snowfields, as well as, exposed ice are the most likely areas for
   possible avalanche activity during the next series of weather makers.
   Ice develops rapidly each fall in both Ravines and often act as an
   excellent sliding layer for avalanches to occur. Remember if the
   snowfield is large enough to ski or recreate on it's large enough to
   avalanche. Approach early season snowfields with skepticism and be
   conservative while on them, near them, or in their runout zones.

   Be aware that a small slab or sluff can be very dangerous. This is
   particularly true in the steep gullies and slopes of Tuckerman and
   Huntington Ravines for early season ice climbers. As a climber picks
   their way through a route they will usually cross small pockets of
   snow. Often this snow has 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 considerable problem.

   We are absolutely 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 are buried with snow in many areas and require
   winter gear, i.e. winter clothes, ice axe, crampons, avalanche
   beacons, shovels, and probes.

   So, winter is here! Don't wait any longer to refresh your avalanche
   skills. Pull out your beacon and practice, ONLY YOU CAN SAVE YOUR
   BUDDY!! Review your safe travel rules, techniques for assessing snow
   stability, and sign up for an avalanche course. We will have all the
   avalanche courses offered in the valley this winter on our website,
   csac.org very soon.

   PLEASE REMEMBER:

   o Any new precipitation may increase the avalanche danger, this
   includes wind transported snow.

   o Obtain latest weather forecast before starting out.

   o For more information, contact the U.S. Forest Service Snow Rangers:
   AMC at Pinkham Notch Visitor Center or Hermit Lake Shelters.

   o This General Avalanche Bulletin will be updated as needed.

   Christopher Joosen, Snow Ranger
   USDA Forest Service
   White Mountain National Forest