Avalanche Advisory for Tuckerman and Huntington Ravines
| Posted: 12:04 p.m., Monday, December 1, 2003 |
This is an early season GENERAL ADVISORY. Use
of the 5 scale avalanche danger rating system will
begin when conditions warrant. Until then new advisories
will be issued as needed. Realize avalanches may
occur even though we are only issuing a General
Advisory. This is due to the isolated nature of
snow pockets and their associated instabilities.
Remember if the snowfield is large enough to ski
or recreate on it's large enough to avalanche. Check
"tuckerman.org" for the latest avalanche advisory
before heading into avalanche terrain.
Cold air will prevail throughout the week in the
mountains. The cold temperatures should allow for
the rapid formation of ice in the Ravines. If you
are planning to ice climb this week be prepared
for a mixed bag of early season conditions. Given
the warm temperatures and rain that we have had
recently, followed by a rapid drop in temperature,
I suspect a wide variety of climbing conditions
will be found through the week. These conditions
may include very wet ice, slush, brittle ice and
ice dams. Pay attention to changing conditions and
plan accordingly.
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.
The best holiday gift you can give your backcountry
loved one to express care and concern is the avalanche
beacon, probe, and shovel. 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.
| Please Remember: |
| • |
Any new precipitation may increase the avalanche
danger, this includes wind transported snow.
|
| • |
Obtain latest weather forecast before starting out.
|
| • |
For more information, contact the U.S. Forest Service
Snow Rangers: AMC at Pinkham Notch Visitor Center
or Hermit Lake Shelters.
|
| • |
This avalanche bulletin will be updated as needed. |
|
Brian Johnston, Snow Ranger
USDA Forest Service
White Mountain National Forest
(603) 466-2713 TTY (603) 466-2856
This is the Official Tuckerman Ravine website. Occasionally
the remoteness of Tuckerman Ravine, weather, or communication problems prevent
the website from being updated immediately. Check the date, and if it is not
the most recent, you can also call the National Forest Service's 24 hour avalanche
hotline at (603) 466-2713 (ext. 4)
Avalanche Advisory Archives.
United States Avalanche Danger Descriptions.