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.

As of 7am this morning the Summit temperature has dropped 29 degrees C (52 degree F) over the past 24 hours! They were at 6C (43F) and raining yesterday and this morning we have mostly sunny skies with a temperature of -23C(-9F). It almost goes without saying that the mountain's snowpack has transformed its properties quite a bit during this change. The freewater from Thursday's warm weather and Friday's rain has percolated down through the snowpack and has essentially created concrete in all areas. This has obviously locked up the snow on the ground previous to Thursday's weather. However as the front passed through yesterday rain changed to snow which resulted in 8.5cm (3.3in) of total accumulation. High W through NW winds loaded many areas with at least a bit of slab. The most significant loading appears to have occurred in strong lee areas of NW winds. Particularly, the top of Hillmans Highway, the Chute, and the Lip picked up the most new snow. The Chute and the Lip are the main reasons for the Bowl and Headwall being at Moderate. Other areas I would mostly consider Low, but realize "Except in isolated pockets" does apply. New pockets do exist intermingled between the icy surfaces.

Two other concerns exist besides avalanches. Ice climbers need to be aware of ice dams due to the intense amount of running water caused by recent rain. Similar weather events have historically caused ice dams to blow out with climbers on them due to high pressure being released by an ice axe placement or a crampon. The outcome is rarely positive. The other concern is the very hard icy surface that exists in most places. Crampons and an ice axe is a must for safe travel on any angled terrain. With that said self arrest will be very difficult so move slow and methodically.

THE LION HEAD WINTER ROUTE IS OPEN. Mountaineering skills and equipment are required for safe travel on this route. The John Sherburne Ski Trail is challenging due to hard icy conditions. You should expect hazards in the form of turf, rocks, bushes and deep waterbars.

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.