Huntington Ravine has LOW and MODERATE avalanche danger. O'Dells, Pinnacle, Yale, Damnation and North gullies have Low avalanche danger. Natural avalanches are very unlikely and human triggered avalanches are unlikely EXCEPT IN ISOLATED POCKETS. These pockets do exist. Normal caution is advised. The Escape Hatch, South and Central gullies have Moderate avalanche danger. Natural avalanches are unlikely and human triggered avalanches are possible. Unstable slabs are possible. Use caution in steeper terrain.

It is an outstanding winter morning on Mt. Washington today. Clear skies, calm winds and a blanket of new snow are creating weather conditions that beckon one to the mountains. If you are lucky enough to be here on such a nice day, don't forget that we have unstable snow to be concerned about! Over the past 24 hours the Summit has received 7.9 cm (3.1") of 7.5% snow and Hermit Lake has received 6 cm (2.3") of similar density snow. This snow fell between noon and 9 pm yesterday and was accompanied by winds from the W to NNW. The Summit observed drifting snow with wind speeds as low as 33 kph (21 mph). Some of this snow was transported into the Ravines, particularly on east aspects. Fracture lines that were visible in Central Gully yesterday are mostly filled in now and it looks like more snow was moved into many other areas, notably the Lip and Sluice in Tuckerman Ravine. The new snow has covered many areas that had old surface showing in Huntington Ravine yesterday. Expect potentially touchy soft slab conditions as a result of the new snow and light winds that moved it around. The new snow is certainly not our only stability concern. We are still concerned about slabs that were deposited on an icy crust on Friday. On Friday we had numerous natural avalanches in both Ravines. After this natural cycle was complete, some areas were left with the crust layer exposed on the surface while others had slabs still sitting over the crust. These slabs are still a concern as they are cold and possess elastic energy and they are sitting on a very slippery crust that provides a poor bonding surface. While we are not too concerned about natural avalanche activity, we are concerned about the potential for human triggered avalanches in all areas posted at Moderate. Many areas posted at Low, particularly at the tops of gullies in Huntington Ravine, have isolated pockets of instabilities. Remember that LOW doesn't mean NO avalanche danger. Be skeptical of any snow on steep terrain that is not crust. It is important to pay attention to your surroundings and know what is going on above you.

Today's avalanche danger ratings rely heavily on the higher summit wind forecast being accurate. Winds are expected to be out of the west and light today. We have no reason to believe this is going to change but I want to highlight the importance of this remaining accurate. If we get increasing winds today we will see a lot of the new snow get blown around and wind loading will occur in both Ravines. This would increase that avalanche danger. Pay attention to the weather and if you notice increasing winds, expect increasing avalanche danger.

THE LION HEAD WINTER ROUTE IS OPEN. Mountaineering skills and equipment are required for safe travel on this route. All visitors traveling on steep terrain should be prepared with crampons and an ice axe.

The John Sherburne Ski Trail has improved dramatically with new snow. You should still expect hidden hazards in the form of turf, rocks, bushes and deep waterbars lurking under the new snow cover.

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. To improve these skills take an avalanche course. We have all the avalanche courses offered in and around the Mt. Washington Valley this winter on our website, tuckerman.org.