8:45 a.m., Sunday, December 22, 2002

   TUCKERMAN AND HUNTINGTON RAVINES HAVE LOW AVALANCHE DANGER. Natural
   avalanches are very unlikely and human triggered avalanches are
   unlikely except in isolated pockets. Normal caution is advised.

   The summit reported .8" (2cm) of snow over the past 24 hours with west
   winds. In addition to this, snow showers are forecasted throughout the
   day and over the next few days. This could load strong lee areas with
   wind slab on a variable crust. In some areas the crust surface is
   rough and in others it is icy. In areas where it is icy, any new snow
   deposited will not bond well. Stay on the old snow surface when
   possible.

   If you are heading into the mountains bring you crampons, ice axe and
   the ability to use them with skill. There is a crust everywhere today.
   In some areas this crust is not strong enough to support body weight.
   This may result in slow and difficult travel conditions. In other
   areas the crust will support body weight allowing for faster travel.
   In these areas be aware that a slip on steep terrain could result in a
   fast and uncontrolled fall. Be prepared to self arrest. If you are
   heading into the mountains to ice climb, watch out for ice dams. With
   Fridays rain (.83"/2.1cm) followed by freezing temperatures, there is
   still of water behind ice that is causing hydrolic pressure. These ice
   dams may relieve the pressure by shooting water out of ice screws or
   pushing tons of ice off once a climbers ice axe has disturbed the
   integrity of the ice. Ice climbs that have a higher volume of water
   should be more suspect of ice dams, such as Pinnacle Gully. Fridays
   rain also created some undermined channels in the snowpack. These are
   small streams that flow through the snowpack when it gets saturated
   with a lot of water. They can act as hidden traps and can be quite
   deep. These may be found in narrow gullies and at the bottoms of cliff
   bands where water naturally channels and pools, but is not limited to
   these areas.

   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.

   THE WINTER LION HEAD ROUTE IS NOW OPEN. THE ROUTE 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
   ROUTE. CRAMPONS, AN ICE AXE, AND THE ABILITY TO USE THEM WITH SKILL
   ARE REQUIRED FOR SAFE TRAVEL.

   The John Sherburne ski trail is coming along slowly and improving.
   However, waterbars, rocks, brush and patches of water ice will
   challenge even the best skier for a safe and pleasurable trip down.

   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.

   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