Huntington Ravine has LOW avalanche danger. All 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.

Today is a day of mixed blessings on the mountain. Skies are clear and the summit forecast is provided in a single word--SUNNY! It's a great day to be up high with summit temps expected to be around -12C(10F) with moderate winds and spectacular visibility. With such a splendid day what can be wrong? As we've discussed for the past few days the variety of instability issues on steep slopes is fascinating. Even within a short distance you are able to find markedly different surface conditions and stability concerns. Areas at Low today may have pockets of instability such as in the start zone of Left Gully. Of all our concerns, the first weak layer we've been watching is a buried layer of facets between the thick raincrust and the slabs overlying it. Newer soft slabs may have lost some of their ability to propagate fractures yesterday where they picked up some solar gain but not enough to disregard them as a concern. Harder slabs have retained more of their elasticity and are more likely to see a fracture travel farther across a slope. Where these slabs are the thinnest is probably the most dangerous due to the greater penetration of your force through the layer, consequently effecting the weakness below. Our most recent stability concern is one that has the potential to cause bigger problems down the line. This beautiful weather is actually reeking havoc in the upper levels of our snow pack by a process known as diurnal recrystalization. This term is a great one to throw around at the next party so let's make sure we understand the process. During the nice sunny days that we've had recently the upper levels of our previously cold snowpack absorb heat and warm up substantially. As the sun goes down and we have clear cold nights the snow near the surface radiates its heat back into the sky and goes for huge temperature swing. As with any rapid change, the snow does not adjust so well to this back and forth seesaw action and metamorphism begins changing our crystals into the dreaded facets. This process is one type of near surface faceting. We have more of the same type of weather on the horizon so we'll keep an eye on this layer so we know what to expect when new snow buries it.

THE LION HEAD WINTER ROUTE IS OPEN. Mountaineering skills and equipment are required on this route. Crampons and an ice axe are a must for safe travel on any angled terrain on Mount Washington. The John Sherburne Ski Trail has improved with new 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.