| Posted: 11:21 a.m., Monday, December 8, 2003 |
Huntington Ravines has HIGH, CONSIDERABLE, AND MODERATE avalanche danger. North, Damnation, and Yale gullies have High avalanche danger. Natural and human triggered avalanches are likely. Unstable slabs are likely on a variety of aspects and slope angles. Travel is not recommended. Central, Pinnacle, and O'Dells have Considerable avalanche danger. Natural avalanches are possible and human triggered avalanches are probable. Unstable slabs are probable on steep terrain. Be increasingly cautious in steeper terrain. South and the Escape Hatch have Moderate avalanche danger. Natural avalanches are unlikely and human triggered avalanches are possible. Use caution in steep terrain.
Hermit Lake received another 30 cm (12 inches) in the past 24 hours for a storm total of 106 cm (42 inches). Unusal storms do unusal things and this one was no exception. The summit picked up only 25-28 cm (10-11 inches) for the storm due to what they suspect was due to low snow densities and high E winds. We are only 730 meters (2400 ft) lower than the summit and we're up to our arm pits. Since early this morning winds moved to the North which began loading Southern aspects very heavily. The Northern gullys in Huntington have a long growing cornice over them which may become large enough to collapse. Gullies and snowfields from Right Gully to Lion Head in Tuckerman have a thick snow plume suggesting substantial loading. Several fracture lines were visible in this area this morning and are currently reloading for another potential cycle. In addition to this the major concern is increasing or shifting winds. We are still waiting for the winds to completely wrap around which should begin the real heavy loading if it happens soon. The longer it sits the more it settles and consolidates requiring higher winds to pick it up. The summit is currently gusting in the 72 kph (45 mph) range and is forecasted to increase. As the winds continue moving to the NW areas such as the Lip and eastern aspects will begin to load so watch the weather closely. As I mentioned yesterday, this much snow is unusal so being conservative and allowing for consolidation would be a good idea.
If you can believe it rain is forecasted for Thursday! Cross your fingers for cold air, but it appears likely.
You absolutely need skis or snow shoes to travel off the beaten path. Even with them expect your trip to be slow and difficult.
THE LION HEAD SUMMER TRAIL IS CLOSED. THE WINTER ROUTE IS OPEN. THE UPPER WINTER SIGN WILL NOT GO UP UNTIL IS POSSIBLE FOR US TO GET UP THERE.
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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