Avalanche Advisory for Tuckerman and Huntington Ravines
| Posted: 9:01 a.m., Thursday, December 18, 2003 |
Tuckerman Ravine and Huntington Ravine have LOW
avalanche danger. Natural avalanches are very unlikely
and human triggered avalanches are unlikely except
in isolated pockets. Normal caution is advised.
The summit forecast is calling for 5 cm (2") of
snow to fall today with strong westerly winds. Given
the transition from rain to snow, I expect the new
snow to bond well to the existing surface in most
areas. However, be weary of instabilities within
the new snow in strong lee areas. If we get more
snow than the forecast suggests, be prepared for
the avalanche danger to be pushing Moderate, especially
on east and southeast aspects.
Over the past 24 hours the summit received 4.5 cm
(1.8") of rain and Hermit Lake recorded 10.9 cm
(4.2") of rain! This amount of free water moving
around should alarm folks heading out with the intention
of ice climbing. We can't see into the Ravines today,
but I suspect that some blowouts occurred and that
there is running water in many of the gullies. Also,
with the rapidly falling temperatures, ice dams
should be expected throughout both ravines. With
the ice dams and the possibility of getting soaked
on a cold and windy day in the mountains, it seems
like one may want to reconsider ice climbing today.
The John Sherburne ski trail generally has good
coverage, however, you will enocounter some blowouts,
abrupt water bars and open water in places.
THE LION HEAD SUMMER TRAIL IS CLOSED AND THE WINTER
ROUTE IS OPEN.
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 the latest weather forecast before
starting out.
****For more information, contact any of the following:
U.S. Forest Service Snow Rangers, AMC at the Pinkham
Notch Visitor Center, AMC at the Hermit Lake Shelters,
HMC at the Harvard Cabin.
****This avalanche advisory will expire at midnight.**** |
|
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.
Échelle Canadienne de risque d’avalanche.