While most folks were going for their first serving of turkey, Mt Washington was enveloped in its typical winter fury. Since Tuesday the Summit has picked up close to 2ft(59.5cm) of new snow and yesterday's winds peaked at 93mph(149kph) out of the NW. Temperatures hung in the negative degrees F yesterday while winds out of the W and NW deposited new snow in both Ravines. Some scouring occurred during the strongest winds and any travel on avalanche prone slopes today would be wise to be kept to these areas. The cold windslab that developed in other areas needs some time to adjust to its new setting before climbers or skiers test it out. A new large fracture line is visible in the Lip this morning and traces of natural avalanche activity can be observed in other areas as well. Natural activity is less of a concern today than it was yesterday when all areas were in the upper end of the Considerable rating. Human triggered avalanches are still PROBABLE today on many slopes. Although the majority of the winds loaded snow onto E and SE aspects other areas have picked up snow through crossloading or direct loading as winds initially began in the S and SE. Existing snowfields have gotten bigger and new pockets have developed as wind-transported snow filled in the irregularities of the terrain. Don't let the morning's beautiful weather lure you onto recently loaded slopes. Avalanches don't care about blue skies or first tracks!

Spatial variability continues to be a key concept when assessing our early season snowpack. Remember-- two areas within close proximity to each other are likely to have differing stability and will tell you different things. Don't trust one snowpit or stability test. Large snowfields and isolated pockets of instability both have their dangers. If a snowfield is big enough to recreate on it's big enough to avalanche. 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!