All forecast areas in 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.

Realize that many areas posted at Low have isolated pockets of instablility.

Over the past 24 hours the Summit has picked up 1 cm (.4") of new snow and Hermit Lake received 2.5 cm (1"). Today's higher summit winds are forecasted to be out of the NW between 65 and 95 kph (40-60 mph) and snow showers are possible through the morning hours. While snow totals are not impressive by any standard, keep your eye on the wind loading today. We could see this new snow load into the Ravine's and become a problem in the start zones, especially on SE aspects. Other stability concerns include slabs that have formed earlier in the week that are sitting on an icy layer. Yesterday's field observations found early facets above the ice layer and below the slab. If these continue to grow we could see deteriorating stability on some of these slabs over the next few days. The slabs that are out there vary greatly in thickness and size. The largest slabs exist in the Lip and Sluice with pockets spread through out the Ravines, including areas posted at Low. As far as snow travel goes, stay on the old hard surface when you can for stability sake. I thought it would be interesting to see what kind of faceting was occurring under this "crust" yesterday. I was surprised to find it to be SOLID! I hacked through about 60 cm of alpine ice and decided I didn't need to go any further.

These very hard icy surface conditions exist in most places on the mountain. Crampons and an ice axe are a must for safe travel on any angled terrain. With that said self arrest will be very difficult so move slow and methodically.

Today's forecast is calling for summit temperatures to fall to -24 to -30 c (-10 to -20 F). This is the arrival of a cold front that should keep the air very cold through the weekend. If you are planning a trip to the mountains you better come prepared!

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, water ice and deep waterbars. Many of these may be hidden by a dusting of snow.

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.