| Posted: 11:14 a.m., Friday, December 5, 2003 |
There is a WINTER STORM WATCH ISSUED FOR SATURDAY AND SUNDAY. Currently, 18 cm (7 inches) of snow is anticipated. Precipitation is expected to begin during the morning hours on Saturday and into late morning or early afternoon on Sunday. The heaviest precipitation is scheduled to arrive late Saturday into very early Sunday. Central and southern parts of the State appear to be within a stronger precipitation band than the north country so we'll have to wait and see what happens. In typical Nor'easter fashion the storm will bring in winds from the E, NE, and then the North. This will load and cross load many areas within the Ravines, but the heaviest loading should occur as the storm moves through and winds continue to wrap around to come from our prevailing NW and W. The timing and track of the storm will be critical to avalanche problems. The wind shift may occur during the recreational day light part of the day. If this occurs I expect rapid loading in both ravines. So plan your day accordingly. If it comes in a bit slower than expected this will occur overnight into Monday morning.
Huntington currently has very little snow in so it may stay at a "General Advisory" level through the storm. The largest snowfields in Tuckerman are in Left Gully and the Chute. However, these areas will be of most concern as the winds wrap around, but expect some cross loading to occur during the initial and mid portions of the storm. The right or northside of the Ravine will be the most heavily loaded through Saturday. A 5 Scale Danger Rating Advisory will be likley for Sunday if the storm plays out as the models expect. Until then I expect this Advisory to ride through Saturday unless there are some significant changes to the expected storm track to report for Saturday.
Ice 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. 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.
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