Huntington Ravine has LOW and MODERATE avalanche danger. Yale Gully has 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. All other forecast areas in Huntington have Low avalanche danger. Natural avalanches are very unlikely and human triggered avalanches are unlikely except in isolated pockets. Normal caution is advised.

As winds increased yesterday during the late afternoon a hazy halo was backlit by the setting sun. Plumes came off the Summit cone as well as over the Boott Spur ridge into the Gulf of Slides. The Summit reported a total of 7 hours of blowing snow as the winds gusted to 95kph (60mph) out of the NNW. This loaded some new snow onto mostly SE-S aspects in both Ravines. Most notably are areas below the Lip, Sluice Ice, and Right Gully in Tuckerman. These areas received a bit of new depositions while other areas continued to become more wind affected increasing the density and strength of surface slabs. Across the low center and south side of the Bowl there are areas of Low danger mixed in, but due to the loading on the northern side we can't drop the entire forecast area. Over in Huntington Ravine, Yale Gully, and to a lesser degree Damnation Gully, some snow was deposited predominately in the upper third of each location over the past 24 hours. Faceting is still a concern under the oldest slabs that are layered over the old crust. The spatial variability of this problem is such that you should be weary to trust a snowpit or two and feel you're all set. Dig as often as you can and still use caution.

Winds continue to gust to 95kph (60mph) which is moving snow into beautiful aerial plumes. I don't believe these plumes will load much today, but I am a bit apprehensive to say we won't receive any so keep your eyes open. High pressure has generated a fantastic, albeit cold, day on the mountain. This should continue into tomorrow and actually warm up a bit! Warm advection clouds may generate some snow in the mountains Sunday morning so keep this in mind while planning your weekend.

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 slowly 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.