Avalanche Advisory for Tuckerman and Huntington Ravines
Posted: 9:27 a.m., Tuesday, December 2, 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.

The summit of Mount Washington received 14.5 cm (5.7 in) of new snow from Monday to Tuesday morning while Hermit Lake picked up 11cm (4.3 in). Snow densities hovered between 9.5% and 9.2% depending on altitude. WNW and NW winds has brought new loading into both Ravines. This loading will continue as our prevailing westerly winds are expected to continue. Light accumilations are expected through the middle part of the week.

The cold temperatures should continue 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. Also be aware that a small slab or sluff can be very dangerous. As a climber picks their way through a route they will usually cross small pockets of snow. Approach these early season snowfields with some skepticism and be conservative while on them or in their runout zones. It doesn't take much snow to knock you off your feet and depending how high you are this could be a significant problem. Placing ice or rock protection isn't a guarantee of security, but it has saved many from avalanche injuries or worse on Mount Washington.

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.

Christopher Joosen, Snow Ranger
USDA Forest Service
White Mountain National Forest
(603) 466-2713 TTY (603) 466-2856
 
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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. ed natÍv