5:59 a.m., Thursday, November 7, 2002

   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. We are getting very close to
   using the U.S. 5 scale danger rating, BUT REALIZE AVALANCHES ARE
   OCCURING EVEN THOUGH WE ARE STILL ISSUING 'GENERAL ADVISORIES' It is
   important to remember that until we have more widespread snowfields,
   and therefore avalanche danger, we will continue to issue General
   Avalanche Advisories due to the isolated hazard. Check csac.org
   frequently as we move through November and certainly check the latest
   avalanche advisory before 






   heading into avalanche terrain. 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. As always, this bulletin is
   one more tool to help you make your own decisions in avalanche
   terrain. It should be used along with your own snow stability
   assessments, knowledge of safe travel techniques, skill in reading
   mountain weather's effect on the snowpack, and avalanche rescue.

   As of midnight the summit of Mount Washington received 10.9 inches of
   snow during the preceding 24 hours. This brings the total over the
   past 2 weeks to 35.4 inches. Due to light SE and ESE winds during
   daylight hours yesterday, little loading occured in traditional areas
   in the ravines. However last night around 6pm winds made a dramatic
   shift from the ESE to the WNW. These winds have been moving back and
   forth between the NW and WNW and increasing. Winds and dropping
   temperatures are associated with the front that is moving down out of
   Quebec and seem to have stabilized for the time being. Currently they
   are holding at 12 degrees F with northwesterly winds at 55 mph gusting
   65. Temperatures are expected to drop to 5 degrees F and winds should
   increase slightly to 65-70 mph during the morning hours. Skies are
   expected to slowly clear and be partly sunny in the North Country
   later today. Flurries are anticipated to linger in the mountains this
   morning and then return over the evening into tomorrow when a warm
   front may trigger another pulse of precipitation.

   TODAY, THURSDAY 10/7, SHOULD PROVE TO BE THE MOST SIGNIFICANT
   AVALANCHE DAY YET THIS SEASON. Yesterdays snow, which came in with
   light winds out of the ESE, is now being loaded into Tuckerman and
   Huntington Ravines by 65mph WNW and NW winds. 'SOME' of the most
   significant snowfields to be concerned about are Left Gully, the
   Chute, isolated areas growing beween and above rocks on the Headwall
   of Tuckerman, and the E and NE side of the summit cone. In Huntington
   Ravine, Central, Pinnacle, the top of O'Dells, and the upper sections
   of the northern gullies should generate the most concern. These
   snowfields, as well as, exposed ice are the most likely areas for
   avalanche activity. Ice that develops rapidly each fall in both
   Ravines and often act as an excellent sliding layer for avalanches to
   occur.

   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.

   Pull out your beacon and practice, ONLY YOU CAN SAVE YOUR PARTNER!!
   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