| Posted: 9:14 a.m., Sunday, February 9, 2003 |
Huntington Ravine has LOW avalanche danger. Natural avalanches are very unlikely and human triggered avalanches are unlikely EXCEPT IN ISOLATED POCKETS. Normal caution is advised.
Well things have certainly changed quite a bit over the past week with 20 inches of snow. As discussed earlier in the week a large class 3 avalanche has completely filled in the floor of Tuckerman with an enormous amount of debris. The debris stops short of the actual brook heading towards the Little Headwall, but has made skiing out of the Ravine a lot easier. All areas have filled in with lots of new snow since last week. The deepest area in Tuckerman, next to lunch rocks, now has about 65 feet of snow. Snowfields to the right and left of the trail heading into the Ravine from Hermit Lake are filling in so expect avalanche activity in these areas with new snow. These have filled in due to the high winds over the past week. This has made it more important to keep your eyes open when traveling in the mountains as avalanche activity may occur outside of the prominent gullies and snowfields. Currently, we have a very hard wind pack in most locations in the Ravines. This has created a strong bridge with good tensile strength due to high winds. During yesterday's field time we discovered good stability in MOST LOCATIONS. However, we did find enough instability in strong lee pockets to keep us concerned enough to hold the avalanche danger at Moderate. We witnessed multiple shooting cracks under our feet and observed a skier trigger "an avalanche" which settled in place due to the low angle and small size of the pocket. Basically the slope failed, but did not release and slide downhill. What was left was a "shooting crack" about 40 feet long on the Little Headwall. Protected areas in the trees and under buttresses from the Little Headwall through the Lower Snowfields would be an ideal place to find these areas of instability. The Moderate rating is focused on scattered pockets which are mostly thin, hard, and have a high degree of elasticity. Snow showers are forecasted through the day which aren't expected to bring much moisture, but as always keep an eye on amounts and think about a potential for increasing avalanche danger.
As discussed in many of our previous advisories, ice dams have been an on going issue in the Ravines, particularly in Huntington Ravine. They are still an issue. As of Friday Pinnacle Gully had water pouring down the first pitch. Near the top of the third pitch one unfortunate climber punched through a snowy ledge and found himself up to his knees in water. Not an ideal situation to be in when the outside temperatures are below zero and you are a long way from your car. Be very aware of the condition of the ice you are climbing.
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. Avalanche skills are always required to travel safely in the mountains. Be prepared to do your own stability assessments.
The John Sherburne ski trail is improving with this weeks new snow. However, due to high winds expect variable conditions in the form of whales, drifts, and scouring. Some rocks and waterbars are still hidden under the new snow.
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.
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