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.

Phil the furry forecaster popped out of his hole yesterday and was met by his shadow signifying six more weeks of winter. Six weeks? I'm hoping for six months! How could he have not seen his shadow yesterday with the warm sun beating down like it was? The Summit's hourly observations have fluctuated betwen -5&-2C(23&28F) during the past 24 hours and winds peaked at 47kph(29mph) this morning. Not only is it hard to believe we're talking about Mt Washington but also that we've got more of the same headed our way. The south-facing slopes are receiving substantial solar gain and the small fluctuation in temperature is allowing stabilization to speed up. Temperature gradients are begining to decrease meaning that the snow is trying hard to work towards equilibrium and less faceting is taking place. Less vapor is moving through the snowpack and faceted crystals are starting to sinter to their neighbors and morph toward rounded forms. We still have concerns about the more deeply buried facet layer on the north side of Tucks but we're moving toward the lower end of the Moderate rating in those areas. We may even be entering the Low rating before too long if the warm temps can creep deep enough into the snowpack. Although this weather is good for stabilization I'm praying for new snow to arrive quickly. If it doesn't happen soon I just might have to trade the beacon, shovel and probe in for a whistle and bathing suit and apply for a job at Hampton Beach!

As springlike conditions have become entrenched on the mountain you should expect to see the associated hazards. Falling ice and/or rock, running water and rotten ice in the gullies are all possibilities in these temps. Snow has gotten pretty thin in some places and may have been undermined. As the shadow line creeps back across warmed snow expect a rapid change in surface conditions. Soft snow may quickly turn bulletproof so think twice before assuming conditions are the same as they were when you ascended an hour earlier.

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 Mount Washington. The John Sherburne Ski Trail has reasonable coverage given the lean snow year and recent temps. 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.