Huntington Ravine has MODERATE and CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger. Yale, Damnation and North Gully have 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 areas from the Escape hatch over to and including Central Gully have Considerable avalanche danger. Natural avalanches are possible and human triggered avalanches are probable. Unstable slabs are probable on steep terrain. Be increasingly cautious in steeper terrain.

As winds picked up in velocity yesterday out of the NW and WNW we saw new loading through the day in most lee aspects. Ski tracks and the fracture line on the Headwall and Lip were quickly filled back in as these areas appeared to pick up the most new snow. Two mountaineers decided to test this area with the most atrocious, zig-zag over one another, travel techniques we have seen since... well... the day before. With as busy of a weekend as it was we did get to witness numerous textbook techniques of how to get killed in avalanche terrain. Remember it all comes down to safe travel skills in avalanche terrain. If you are the worlds best snowpit digger or are wearing every piece of avalanche safety equipment available on the market it doesn't matter if you make poor travel decisions. In the end the 2 made it out of there by luck and were shaken up traveling in deep snow on 35-48 degree slopes. In addition to the Lip similar aspects also picked up new snow deposition such as the Headwall and E aspects of Right Gully in Tuckerman and Central Gully in Huntington.

The NWS has issued a SNOW ADVISORY FROM 7 AM EST THIS MORNING TO MIDNIGHT EST TUESDAY. Snow began in the mountains around 3am and accumulated to about 2.5cm (1in) as of 6am. As a heavier band of precipitation currently moves across central Vermont we should expect snowfall to intensify later this morning. We expect 15cm (6in) by late tonight, 10cm (4in) of which should fall during daylight hours. This is associated with S and SW winds at 65-95kph (40-60mph). We expect higher density snow to fall through the day as temperatures increase along with wind velocity. This should develop denser slabs over a loose unconsolidated snow layer at the interface with the old surface in many areas. This is particularly true on N and NE facing aspects as they are in the direct lee of today's winds. Examples include the start zones in Hillman's, Left Gully, and the Chute. As well as cross loading locations on the Headwall, Bowl and Right Gully. In Huntington gullies like South, ODells, Pinnacle, and crossing loading in Central are the prime locales to pick up the most new snow. As snow intensifies this morning expect some areas to perhaps push the upper end of their rating. Rapid loading creates stress more quickly than slower loading over a longer duration. These stresses can overcome slab strength more readily causing fracture and failure of the slope.

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. With this past week's snow and more coming snowshoes are recommended for all areas except trails known to be packed. The John Sherburne Ski Trail has good coverage.

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.