Huntington Ravine has MODERATE AND CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger. North Gully has Moderate avalanche danger. Natural avalanches are unlikely and human triggered avalanches are possible. Use caution in steeper terrain. All other posted forecast areas in Huntington Ravine have Considerable avalanche danger today. Natural avalanches are possible and human triggered avalanches are probable. Be increasingly cautious in steeper terrain. We are currently not forecasting for the Escape Hatch due to lack of snow.

The summit picked up another 3.7" (9.4cm) of 7% density snow. This brings the total to about 9" (23cm) over the past few days which have been linked to strong W winds. Over the past 24 hours winds between 40-60mph (65-95kph) have had no trouble moving light density snow on the eastern aspects of the Ravines. This has been loading onto both very hard old surfaces and new snow in the deposition from the weekend winds. Areas of most concern are locations sheltered from moderate winds in the strong lee on eastern aspects. Good examples are the top of Left gully, the Headwall, and the Lip of Tuckerman as well as the exit of O'Dells, Pinnacle, and Central gullies. As you move out of sheltered areas you will likely find scoured locations due to the light densities and slick hard old surfaces. As new snow wraps up this morning we have more concern about human triggered avalanches being "probable" the "possible"ity of natural runners today. New low density soft slabs will contain elastic properties making propagation of fracture lines something to keep a strong eye on today. I suspect the main problem will be snow that came in yesterday morning during a short period of light wind. This snow may act as the weak layer between the hard old layer and slabs that were created as winds picked up through the day.

With the low visibility because of light snow and flat light route finding to avoid instability may be quite challenging. Staying on the hard old surface is best, but that may not be possible the higher you get. The hazard today will be not knowing what lurks above. A good example of this is the lower Bowl. As Brian discussed on Saturday the stability in many parts of the Bowl was not a concern, but it's in the runout of the Headwall and snowfields above as is the case today. You will be challenged to find a "Considerable" snowpack in the lower Bowl but you may become flushed off your feet in considerable fashion from slope failure above.

The hard old surface should also be acknowledged today for the trouble it may create for travelers. All trails are very slick and crampons and an ice axe are essential for travel on open terrain of any steepness. Self arrest will only be effective if executed immediately after a slip otherwise speed and the snow density may make attempts futile. We had a serious accident on Saturday when an experienced climber was blown off his feet while approaching the bottom of ODell's Gully. The victim took a 400'(125m) uncontrolled slide down the slope and into the talus below. The party began a self rescue before being assisted by rescuers. More than 30 people participated in this difficult rescue that lasted late into the evening.

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!