| Posted: 8:33 a.m., Thursday, February 13, 2003 |
Huntington Ravine has MODERATE avalanche danger. Natural avalanches are unlikely and human triggered avalanches are possible. Unstable slabs are possible on steep terrain. Be increasingly cautious in steeper terrain.
Over the past twenty-four hours we have received 1.5" (3.8 cm) of new snow at Hermit Lake which brings our total for the past four days to 7.5" (19 cm). The new snow that fell yesterday has been blowing into the Ravines by WNW winds. These WNW winds have been blowing between 90 and 100 mph (144 to 161 kph) since 9:00 p.m. last night. Cold temperatures are preventing any settlement of the snow and winds are continuing to transport and deposit snow into lee areas of the Ravines. With the high winds, unstable slabs may be found in a wide vareity of areas. Some of these areas are, but not limited to, the lower parts of the gullies, in the trees on the approach to the gullies and areas sheltered from the strong WNW wind.
If you are heading out into the mountains today or over the next couple of days BE PREPARED! As of 7:00 a.m. the summit teperature was -31 F (-36 C) with WNW of 96 mph (150 kph). The wind chill for these conditions is about -88 F. The winds are forecasted to stay out of the WNW and subside a bit, however, the temperatures are going to stay very cold. For Thursday night and Friday night weather forecasts are saying that valley temperatures may reach -30. You can expect it to be colder in the mountains.
As discussed in many of our previous advisories, ice dams have been an on going issue in the Ravines, particularly in Huntington Ravine. Pinnacle Gully has had water pouring down it on a regular basis and there have been many reports of strange ice conditions in many of the gullies. Some of these conditions include random ice and rock fall, flowing water, "creaky" ice, and water pools under a thin layer of ice on low angle terrain. The extreme cold temperatures that we are experiencing are probably not helping the situation at all. 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 winter access trail 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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