8:38 a.m., Thursday, December 12, 2002

   TUCKERMAN RAVINE CURRENTLY HAS MODERATE and CONSIDERABLE AVALANCHE
   DANGER. The Little Headwall and the Lower Snowfields have MODERATE
   avalanche danger. Natural avalanches are unlikely and human triggered
   avalanches are POSSIBLE. Use caution in steeper terrain. All other
   areas have CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger. Natural avalanches are
   POSSIBLE and human triggered avalanches are PROBABLE. Be increasingly
   cautious in steep terrain.

   HUNTINGTON RAVINE HAS CONSIDERABLE AVALANCHE DANGER. Natural
   avalanches are POSSIBLE and human triggered avalanches are PROBABLE.

   It is currently snowing lightly here at Hermit Lake. We have received
   4.25" (10.8cm) of 9.2% density snow. The summit received .4" (1cm) of
   snow at 7.5% density as of 0700. The forecast is calling for
   accumulation totals of 5 to 10 inches in the valleys, though we may
   pick up a couple more inches here in the mountains. It is currently 30
   degrees f(-1c) at Hermit Lake and the tempeatures have been rising
   which will result in heavier snow. Currently the summit winds are out
   of the east blowing 35 to 45 mph (56 to 72 kph) and are forecasted to
   shift to N and NW by this afternoon with similar windspeeds, however,
   we wouldn't be suprised if they are higher than forecasted. With the
   weather forecast in mind, we are expecting the new snow that has, and
   is currently falling to start loading Tuckerman and Huntington Ravine
   as the winds shift. This advisory is dependent on the NWS weather
   forecast to play out. We are starting to have some doubts on the
   expected precipitation totals. But eventually winds will go back to
   our prevailing NW and Westerlys, so loading will occur. If you are
   heading out into the mountains today, the earlier the better. The
   slopes will be more stable early on in the day before the wind shifts.

   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.

   THE BEST HOLIDAY GIFT YOU CAN GET YOUR BACKCOUNTRY LOVED ONE TO
   EXPRESS CARING AND CONCERN IS THE AVALANCHE BEACON, PROBE, AND SHOVEL.
   TOO EXPENSIVE? THINK OF THE CONSEQUENCES OR SPLIT THE GIFT WITH
   ANOTHER RELATIVE OR FRIEND. YOU'LL NEVER REGRET GIVING IT, ONLY REGRET
   NOT GIVING IT.

   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.

   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.

   Brian Johnston, Snow Ranger
   USDA Forest Service
   White Mountain National Forest