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.

Temperatures on the Summit have risen out of the negative numbers (F) for the first time in over three days but aren't expected to get much above their current -18C(0F). Winds have also begun to subside and are losing their steam as they wrap from the WSW counter-clockwise toward their destination out of the NW tomorrow morning. The Summit picked up a total of 2.3cm(.9in) in the past 24 hours and up to 5cm(2in) more may fall over the course of the day. It really seems like we're getting nickel and dimmed with these seemingly tiny snowfall amounts that go unnoticed by most. All of these "dustings" begin to add up however when they occur day after day. Unfortunately surface conditions on many steep slopes are not allowing new snow to adhere and the result is easy wind transport of the crystals into the forest below. I hate to say it but it seems like we need some good old fashioned heavy New England snow to stick to the exposed crust. Strong winds yesterday stripped most areas of new snow where the new deposits fell on this crust. These areas are rated at Low today though most still harbor pockets of instability. Where snow had previously found success in blanketing the crust, the new snow managed to stick on top and form some new windslab. The right side of the Headwall over to Right Gully held onto the most snow and is the area of most concern today. Buried under this new snow, a weak faceted layer lurks between the crust and a layer of windslab above it. New snow today will likely form isolated pockets of instability near the tops of slopes and gullies with northern exposure. If winds increase above their forecasted speeds we may see more loading and a rise in avalanche danger.

Yesterday we had a rescue of two climbers who were benighted above Damnation Gully. The two were rescued above the Ravine in tough conditions and are now recovering from their epic. Many thanks to those from MRS and AVSAR who helped us save the lives of these two. Underestimating the longest gully in Huntington and overestimating their abilities were two major factors in the incident. We will have a full summary on the accidents portion of our website soon.

Very hard icy surface conditions exist in many places on the mountain under thin snow cover. 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.

THE LION HEAD WINTER ROUTE IS OPEN. Mountaineering skills and equipment are required for safe travel on this route. The John Sherburne Ski Trail has improved with new drifted snow, but you should still expect hidden hazards such as water ice and rocks.

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.