Avalanche Advisory for Tuckerman and Huntington Ravines
Posted: 8:58 a.m., Thursday, February 26, 2004

Tuckerman Ravine has LOW, MODERATE and CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger. The Little Headwall and Lower Snowfields have Low avalanche danger. Natural avalanches are very unlikely and human triggered avalanches are unlikely except in isolated pockets. Normal caution is advised. Hillman's Highway, Left Gully, and Right Gully have Moderate avalanche danger. Natural avalanches are unlikely and human triggered avalanches are possible. Unstable slabs are possible in steep terrain. Use caution in steeper terrain. The Bowl, the Headwall, and the Lip 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.

Huntington Ravine has LOW avalanche danger. Natural avalanches are very unlikely and human triggered avalanches are unlikely except in isolated pockets. Normal caution is advised.

Well it's another clear beautiful day on Mt. Washington. However high winds are making it both chilly and are actually bringing in some new snow. As winds picked up yesterday blowing snow began with NW winds. Winds have increased each hour and are currently gusting to 150kph (90mph). These are by far the highest winds we have received since last weekend's storm. This is moving snow out of many nooks and crannies that lower winds couldn't budge. So even though it has been beautiful four days in a row we are getting some new snow loading in strong lee areas of NW winds. The most visibile changes are currently occuring in the Lip, Sluice and the top climbers right of Hillman's Highway. High winds should keep any heat from solar radition out of the snowpack so don't expect much in the way of settlement today. Cold slabs still exist with enough elastic energy to propagate fracture lines. Areas posted at Low do have some isolated pockets of instability. Some good examples of this are in the Lower Snowfields in Tuckerman and the top of Damnation Gully in Huntington. We should begin a warming trend into the weekend and the beginning of next week.

The John Sherburne ski trail has a coat of soft new snow over mostly hard pack conditions. Anticipate water ice and rocks lurking beneath the new snow. Be prepared for these hidden hazards and sudden changes in the trail.

THE LION HEAD WINTER ROUTE IS OPEN. This is a steep and challenging route. Ice axe, crampons, and the skill to use them well are necessary for safe travel. Remember, it is always easier to go up than come down.

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.****

Christopher Joosen, 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)

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