9:56 a.m., Saturday, December 7, 2002

   TUCKERMAN RAVINE CURRENTLY HAS LOW AND MODERATE AVALANCHE DANGER. The
   Little Headwall and the Lower Snowfields have LOW avalanche danger.
   Natural avalanches are very unlikely and human triggered avalanches
   are unlikely except in isolated pockets on steep snow covered open
   slopes and gullies. Normal caution is advised. All other areas in
   Tuckerman have MODERATE avalanche danger. Natural avalanches are
   unlikely and human triggered avalanches are POSSIBLE on steep snow
   covered open slopes and gullies. Use caution in steeper terrain.
   However, realize that we have just come down from the Considerable
   rating from the past few days. Cold temperatures have kept the
   settling and snow sintering process to a snails pace this week. So
   stay alert and understand we are on the upper end of the Moderate
   rating in many locations.

   HUNTINGTON RAVINE HAS LOW AND MODERATE AVALANCHE DANGER. Central and
   South gullies have MODERATE avalanche danger. Natural avalanches are
   unlikely and human triggered avalanches are POSSIBLE on steep snow
   covered open slopes and gullies. All other gullies in Huntington have
   LOW avalanche danger. Natural avalanches are very unlikely and human
   triggered avalanches unlikely except in isolated pockets on steep snow
   covered open slopes and gullies. Normal caution is advised. These
   pockets DO exist so put your avalanche skills to work in the Ravine.

   The summit received under an inch of new 5% snow over the past 24
   hours. As we discussed yesterday the forecasted winds became reality
   almost to a tee. We had 50 mph winds around sunset which contributed
   to some pockets of new loading, mainly on East and SE facing pockets.
   You may find some touchy soft slab over loose snow in isolated
   locations. Temperatures are warming considerably today and are
   currently at 28 degrees F. This warming trend is expected to last
   through tomorrow before another arctic front moves in Sunday night.
   Warmer temps should continue to help the snowpack settle over the next
   24-36 hours.

   THE LION HEAD SUMMER TRAIL BELOW TREELINE HAS BEEN SHUT DOWN FOR THE
   WINTER DUE TO THE STEEP SNOWFIELD TRAVERSE NEAR TREELINE. THE SUMMER
   TRAIL 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 last weekend 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. I hope it has been
   a bit helpful and clarified an few topics. I think one of the most
   important part of winning the avalanche game is knowing yourself. Know
   what makes YOU tick and why YOU make the decisions YOU do. Be honest
   with yourself and your avalanche skills. If you really don't have the
   skills yet and you're still learning be conservative on days when
   instability exists. A skilled, experienced avalanche terrain user may
   be safer on a Considerable rating day using all the tricks than the
   traveler new to avalanches traveling on a Low rated day. The person
   who doesn't know what to look out for may wander into a Low "isolated
   pocket" and may trigger a small, but deadly avalanche. Is this person
   you? If it is stay out of avalanche terrain as you build you skills on
   lower angle slopes or under the guidance of someone who has avalanche
   skills. Know your skill level and use the backcountry accordingly. I
   hope you all have a great safe winter and learn more about avalanches
   in the process.

   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