| Posted: 5:39 a.m., Monday, November 24, 2003 |
We have been in an inversion temperature regimen between the valleys and the higher summits for the past few days. At 10:00 am Saturday morning the temperature at Hermit Lake was 4.4 C (40 F) in the shade. The sun was strong and it warmed the ice through the day. On Sunday Hermit Lake reached a maximum of 6.7 C (44 F) and the summit reached a new record for the day at just a hair below 8.3 C (47 F) as of 10:00 pm. These 2 to 3 days of warm temperatures have continued to de-stabilize the water ice in both Ravines.
DANGER OF FALLING ICE. THERE ARE A LOT OF HANGING ICICLES AND DETACHED BLOCKS OF ICE IN THE RAVINES. ICE CLIMBERS SHOULD RESIST THE URGE TO SWING THEIR TOOLS IN THE RAVINES UNTIL CONSISTENT COLD TEMPERATURES SOLIDIFY THE ICE AGAIN IN BOTH TUCKERMAN AND HUNTINGTON. THERE IS AN INCREDIBLE AMOUNT OF FLOWING GROUND WATER RIGHT NOW. SO REST ASSURED, WHEN THE COLD WINTER TEMPERATURES COME BACK ICE WILL BE COME IN QUICK AND BIG. BE PATIENT.
So...be aware of falling ice in both Ravines with warm day time temperatures forecasted over the next few days. A brief shot of liquid precipitation will pass through Monday night contributing to the unstable ice conditions. Many visitors have been injured and killed by falling ice so pay attention to where you are and don't linger when under ice. Have a plan in mind about what you will do and where you will go if ice comes down. Station yourself near a large rock to duck behind in the event of ice fall. Be ice smart.
The summit received over 8.9 cm (3.5 inches) of rain late last week which has just about wiped out the snow in the Ravines yet again. The summit has received over 25 cm (10 inches) of melted precipitation so far this month, the majority of which fell in the form of rain. Rain has undermined many patches of snow and melted a significant amount of ice. Approach these areas with some skepticism.
Review your safe travel rules, techniques for assessing snow stability, and sign up for an avalanche course. We have all the avalanche courses offered in the valley this winter on our website, tuckerman.org.
I realize the holiday season seems a bit far away, but it's time to start thinking of those on your shopping list. The best holiday gift you can give your backcountry loved one to express care and concern is the avalanche beacon, probe, and shovel. Too expensive? Think of the consequences or split the gift with another relative or friend. YOU'LL NEVER REGRET GIVING IT, ONLY REGRET NOT GIVING IT. THEY JUST MAY BE THE GIFT OF LIFE.
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 reading mountain weather's effect on the snowpack, and avalanche rescue.
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