| Posted: 8:13 a.m., Sunday, February 16, 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.
Yesterday's field observations found a wide variety of snow conditions. There are many areas where the wind has scoured and battered the surface. Areas that are in the strong lee to the W and WNW winds still have lingering instabilities. The very cold temperatures that we have been experiencing are keeping existing snow instablities from settling. The cold temperatures have also caused some early stage facets to appear within the snowpack. Cold hard slabs that formed over the week may also be sitting on unconsolidated snow from the 7.5" (19 cm) of low density snow we have received over the past week. Cold hard slabs tend to have the ability to propagate fractures easily due to their high elasticity and stored energy. Keep these factors in mind when you are doing your stability assessments. Some areas that you may find these conditions are below the Lip, in the Sluice and in the upper part of the Chute. The Little Headwall is posted at Moderate today due to the accessability of Moderate terrain from this location. The Little Headwall itself is Low , however, if you venture toward the Lower Snowfields you may find Moderate conditions due to the lee nature of the area. Instabilites may be found in unusual areas due to the high winds, new snow, and cold temperatures that we have had over the past week. Pockets in the trees between the Little Headwall and the Lower Snowfields are a good example of these problems.
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 reports of strange ice conditions in several 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 have been experiencing don't seem to be helping the situation at all. Spontaneous ice fall has occured in Tuckerman Ravine within the past couple of days. 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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