Over the past 24 hours the Summit recorded 2.25" (5.7 cm) of new snow with a density of 10%. Hermit Lake recorded 1.6" (4 cm) of new snow with a density of 7.6% bringing their two day total up to 5.1" (13 cm). This snow was easily blown around over the past 24 hours by NW and WNW winds that averaged 68 mph with higher gusts. As a result, loading has occured on many snowfields and gullies throughout both Ravines. The new snow landed on an icy crust that formed Thurday as the rain saturated snowpack froze while temperatures plummeted. This has made a difficult bonding surface for the newer snow. Expect a variety of surface conditions today. Some areas may have the crusty surface exposed and others are loaded up with new slabs. The newer slabs should be treated with respect as they may be very touchy, especially this morning. High pressure will dominate the weather over the weekend allowing for plenty of sun and mild conditions. Today the higher summits are forecasted to reach the high 20s F and even milder temperatures are in store for tomorrow. Warmer temperatures should help the new slabs settle out over the weekend, particularly on southerly aspects. Until then, expect the possibility for human triggered avalanches in the form of a small snowfield or a large gully depending on your location. Also consider how icefall could impact the slopes around you. A large chunk of ice rolling down a gully will test the snowpack better than twenty Rutschblock tests. Make sure you aren't in the way of the results! The calendar may not say so, but we have mid-winter snow depths in some locations and many avalanche paths are well developed. While traveling in avalanche terrain you need to be mindful of changing conditions. You may travel through snowfields broken by rocks and bushes and quickly enter a larger snow slope. If a snowfield is big enough to recreate on it's big enough to avalanche.

As temperatures climb through the weekend be mindful of icefall potential. As is typical this time of the year we have been in and out of warm weather. In the past week ice has formed thoughout the Ravines. With the weekend warm up we could see a lot of it come down. Try not to be on it or near it when this happens! Many folks have been injured and killed by falling ice so have a plan in mind about what you will do and where you will go if ice comes down. Station yourself near a large rock to duck behind in the event of icefall.

Don't wait any longer to refresh your avalanche skills. Pull out your beacon, practice, and spend a couple bucks on a fresh set of high quality batteries. Review your safe travel rules, techniques for assessing snow stability, and sign up for an avalanche course. We now have all the avalanche courses offered in the Valley this winter on our website, tuckerman.org. Sign yourself or a loved one up now!