8:50 a.m., Wednesday, December 4, 2002

   TUCKERMAN RAVINE CURRENTLY HAS MODERATE, CONSIDERABLE AND HIGH
   AVALANCHE DANGER. The Little Headwall and the Lower Snowfields have
   MODERATE avalanche danger. Natural avalanches are unlikley and human
   triggered avalanches are possible on steep snow covered open slopes
   and gullies. Use caution in steeper terrain. Hillmans Highway and Left
   Gully have CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger. Natural avalanches are
   possible and human triggered avalanches are probable on steep snow
   covered open slopes and gullies. Be increasingly cautious in steeper
   terrain. All other areas in Tuckerman Ravine have HIGH avalanche
   danger. Natural and human triggered avalanches are LIKELY on a variety
   of aspects and slope angles. Travel in avalanche terrain, which
   includes runout zones, is not recommended.

   HUNTINGTON RAVINE HAS MODERATE AND CONSIDERABLE AVALANCHE DANGER.
   South and Central Gullies have Considerable avalanche danger. Natural
   avalanches are possible and human triggered avalanches are probable on
   steep snow covered open slopes and gullies. Be increasingly cautious
   in steeper terrain. All other areas in Huntington have MODERATE
   avalanche danger. Natural avalanches are unlikley and human triggered
   avalanches are possible on steep snow covered open slopes and gullies.
   Use caution in steeper terrain.

   Boy what a difference 24 hours can make! Although the summit reported
   no new precipatation the Ravines picked up and unbelieveable amount of
   new loading for only 4.6 inches of snow as of yesterday morning. This
   was due to high winds and a very low density of 3.6%, hence the HIGH
   danger rating yesterday. High winds this morning, forecasted to bring
   gusts near 100 mph, will bring in a bit more snow as plumes are still
   visible on a backdrop of beautiful blue skies. It would be a good day
   to be conservative and give the snow another day or two to settle and
   consolidate before jumping onto a slope. High winds have also brought
   snow down onto lower elevation aspects and in the trees so keep your
   eyes peeled for instability in places that are not commonly
   problematic. Watch for new bulletins discussing any change in the
   daily rating. Remember if the snowfield is large enough to ski, climb,
   or recreate on it's large enough to avalanche.

   THE LION HEAD SUMMER TRAIL BELOW TREELINE HAS BEEN SHUT DOWN FOR THE
   WINTER DUE TO THE STEEP SNOWFIELD TRAVERSE NEAR TREELINE. THIS AREA
   WILL AVALANCHE WITH ENOUGH NEW LOADING THROUGH THE WINTER. THE WINTER
   LION HEAD ROUTE IS NOW OPEN. IT LEAVES FROM THE HUNTINGTON FIRE ROAD
   AND HAS ORANGE SIGNS STARTING ON THE TUCKERMAN RAVINE TRAIL AT ROUGHLY
   THE 1.8 MILE MARK. IT IS STEEP AND CHALLENGING, CRAMPONS, AN ICE AXE,
   AND THE ABILITY TO USE THEM WITH SKILL ARE REQUIRED FOR SAFE TRAVEL.

   We have been looking at some of the mistakes made during the avalanche
   accidents over the weekend each day here in the bulletin. The intent
   is that we can all learn from these events to prevent future accidents
   and be better prepared as backcountry users in avalanche terrain.
   Yesterday we discussed the potential misunderstanding of the 5 scale
   avalanche danger rating system. Some other items that jumped out at me
   were the lack of avalanche safety equipment, lack of avalanche
   training, and breaking the rules of safe travel in avalanche terrain.
   It is critical that when traveling in avalanche terrain that you carry
   what I call the holy trinity, the beacon, probe, and shovel. They are
   your essential avalanche safety equipment and all three are need for
   the others to work effectively. If one of your group is buried it is
   imperative that they be found by YOUR group in a matter of 10-15
   minutes. SELF RESCUE is the key. If you have to go out for an
   organized rescue team response it is to late. With in 15 to 20 minutes
   a buried persons survival rate begins to drop and after 30 minutes
   nose dives. Buy the gear. You don't need another pair of new skis this
   year, wait one more season. Of the 11 climbers involved in these 2
   accidents no one was carrying the essential avalanche gear.

   AS ALWAYS, THIS ADVISORY 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 mountain weather's effect on the snowpack, and avalanche rescue.
   Pull out your beacon, probe, and shovel and practice, pracTICE!,
   PRACTICE!!, PRACTICE!!! ONLY YOU CAN SAVE YOUR PARTNER!! Sign up for
   an avalanche course. We have all the avalanche courses offered in the
   valley this winter on our website, csac.org.

   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 avalanche bulletin will expire at midnight.

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