8:56 a.m., Monday, January 6, 2003

   Tuckerman Ravine has MODERATE AND LOW avalanche danger. Right Gully
   has Moderate avalanche danger. Natural avalanches are unlikely and
   human triggered avalanches are possible. Use caution in steeper
   terrain. All other areas in Tuckerman have Low avalanche danger.
   Natural avalanches are very unlikely and human triggerd avalanches are
   unlikely EXCEPT IN ISOLATED POCKETS. Normal caution is advised. THESE
   POCKETS DO EXIST SO STAY ALERT AS YOU MOVE FROM PLACE TO PLACE IN THE
   RAVINE TODAY. Some examples are high in Hillmans, high center of Left
   Gully, above the narrows in the Chute, some of the fingers between the
   Lip and Sluice, etc. Be aware instability is not isolated to just
   these areas.

   Huntington Ravine has 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.

   The summit received no new snow over the past 24 hours, but the winds
   have wrapped around out of the West and are between 25-30 mph (40-50
   kph). They are forecasted to continue moving to the North through the
   day. Due to the above treeline snow sitting for 24-48 hours, I think
   we will need high winds to start loading it into the Ravines. The
   right set of circumstances will have to line up, but if we get high W
   through N winds expect a tremendous amount of loading to occur. As
   mentioned yesterday several additional areas of concern to the above
   discussion are the northern gullies in Huntington and the top of
   gullies from Lion Head to up high past the Lip here in Tuckerman. We
   took a look at these gullies yesterday by picking a safe route up
   through Right gully and confirmed our Moderate call. As we headed
   toward Lion Head we poked into the top of the Lobster Claw (Right
   Right gully) and the rest of the Lion Head Gullies. The E and NE winds
   during the storm brought a significant amount of slab to these S and
   SW facing aspects. There are very steep rollovers and minor cornices
   at the top of these locations as there are at the top of Yale and
   Damnation gullies in Huntington Ravine. Some of these gullies between
   Lion Head and Right Gully picked up so much new snow you need to pay
   attention to stay on the Lion Head trail when going towards the
   summit. It is possible in a few locations to wander into avalanche
   terrain just 10 meters south of the trail cairns. This is something to
   keep in mind through out the winter. There is very little old surface
   in Huntington, but here in Tuckerman a fair amount is visible so stick
   to these areas whenever possible. This occured due to the unusal wind
   patterns that were associated with this past storm. I do think that
   when you move off old surface into new pockets you may find unstable
   soft and hard slab. It is quite likely that Huntington Ravine will go
   to Low tomorrow if no new loading occurs, but look for the new
   bulletin in the morning. Snow showers are expected on and off through
   the week so expect loading snow in the ravines. ALSO, WHEN THE WINDS
   DO INCREASE FROM THE W, NW, OR N EXPECT A SIGNFICANT AMOUNT OF LOADING
   TO OCCUR. This is the primary avalanche factor we are watching right
   now. So watch the wind speeds and directions closely.

   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 has improved with this past storm. There
   are a few problem waterbars and rocks still 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.

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