6:45 a.m., Saturday, November 9, 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. Be aware of FALLING ICE over the next few days as rapid warming and rain comes into the region. Expect ice to detatch from warming rock particularly in thin areas. Ice climbing should become more hazardous than usual with temperatures far above freezing in the forecast. 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. Be ice smart. High winds on Thursday into Friday morning brought a significant amount of Wednesday's snow into both Ravines by daylight yesterday morning. Temperatures soured during midday which reached 41 degrees at 3800 ft and just a hair below freezing at 6288 ft, the summit of Mount Washington. This helped stabilize new snow deposition in lee areas, but not quite as much as I would of expected. Cloud cover and high West winds kept heat from penatrating the snowpack too deeply. Temperatures today are expected to rise rapidly bringing the higher summits into the mid thirties so avalanche start zones in the Ravines should be quite a bit warmer. Prolonged rapid warming brings with it some concerns. Although initially warming temperatures will begin to settle the snowpack, if this occurs to quickly this stabilizing factor can go the other way and bring instability. By changing to quickly the pyhsical properties of the snowpack may have trouble reacting in time to accommodate this rapid change. Like a rubber band, if you pull it slowly the rubber structure has time to accept the factor placed upon it, but if you pull it apart very quickly, SNAP! This can occur in the snowpack when it must accommodate rapid change such as a heavy snow load, rain, or todays increasing temperatures. On a positive note the snowpack was allowed to settle a bit yesterday and refreeze overnight, this should allow it to accept todays warming a bit easier. So..., again make your own assessment of changing snow conditions through the day, but be most concerned later in the day as more and more heat works into the snowpack. Particularly where snow loaded on ice over the past couple of weeks in the Headwall and Center Bowl of Tuckerman and gullies of Huntington. As snow densities increase today, as well as the possiblity of freewater lubricating the weak layer between the snow and the blue ice, anticipate loose snow or small wet slab pockets as a concern. If it begins raining expect instability to increase rapidly. Although it isn't forecasted to occur today, fronts are moving in with showers and rain expected through Tuesday. As the saying goes, if it rains in avalanche terrain it's time to go home. Some of the most significant snowfields that continue to grow and 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