8:54 a.m., Saturday, January 4, 2003

   Tuckerman Ravine has MODERATE AND HIGH avalanche danger. The Little
   Headwall has Moderate avalanche danger. Natural avalanches are
   unlikely and human triggered avalanches are possible. All other areas
   in Tuckerman Ravine are forecasted as HIGH avalanche danger. Natural
   and human triggerd avalanches are likely. Unstable slabs are likely on
   a variety of aspects and slope angles. Travel in avalanche terrain is
   not recommended.

   Huntington Ravine is forecasted to have HIGH avalanche danger. Natural
   and human triggered avalanches are likely. Unstable slabs are likely
   on a variety of aspects and slope angles. Travel in avalanche terrain
   is not recommended.

   The storm that is effecting New England has brought us 6 inches (15
   cm) of snow at a density of 8% as of 0600. We currently have 8 inches
   (20 cm)as of 0800 here at Hermit Lake. As these figures indicate, it
   is currently snowing at a rate of one inch (2.5 cm) per hour. The snow
   has come in with E winds and are expected to shift to the NE later
   today. Eventually the winds will be shifting around to the NW,
   however, we don't expect this to occur during daylight hours. Though
   currently (0800) the avalanche danger is not quite at High, we do
   expect it to get there soon with the on going heavy snowfall and NE
   winds creating slab conditions. The largest concern with the current
   conditions is the ongoing cross-loading of gullies and snow slopes.
   This storm system may stall over us for a while and snow showers are
   forecasted through the weekend. So we should continue to pick up
   appreciable new snow over the next couple of days. With this in mind,
   don't expect the avalanche danger to come down very fast.

   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 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 A 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, however, waterbars,
   rocks, brush and patches of water ice are hidden just under the new
   snow.

   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