Huntington Ravine has Low avalanche danger. Natural avalanches are very unlikely and human triggreed avalanches are unlikely except in isolated pockets. Normal caution is advised.

Yesterday's blistering winds began subsiding after dark and currently have dropped to 20-30mph(32-48kph) where they are expected to remain for the day. Throughout the daylight hours yesterday winds were blowing steady at 80+mph(129+kph) and the Summit was stripped of the 18"(46cm) of snow that had accumulated from the postChristmas storm. As snow was blown to lower elevations it had little success clinging to the slick crust and old surface that blankets the steep slopes in the Ravines. Areas posted at Low and Moderate today had the majority of their snow transported into the trees below. Pockets of instability still exist in a number of these areas with Hillman's and Left Gully holding some larger areas of new windslab that are worthy of your respect. Both are at the lower end of their rating and those with good routefinding skills may be able to navigate the gullies and avoid these pillows of new snow. Areas posted as Considerable today are those in the strong lee of NW winds and thus developed larger areas of new windslab. They are on the lower end of their rating but our main concern today is what two-legged triggers may initiate. A fracture line is visible below the ice in the Sluice while most other signs of avalanche activity have been concealed by the direct loading of snow late in the day yesterday. Windslab in these areas formed yesterday and as winds died down last night. These slabs likely sit on a buried raincrust from Monday. The exact distribution of this crust is unknown at this time but down at Hermit Lake a couple of distinct ice lenses can be observed with the naked eye if you dig around a bit. We plan on getting out today and taking a look at how the different layers are bonding in different areas. We'll let you know what we find in tomorrow's advisory. The signs of recent natural activity should be a piece of bulls eye data when pondering the strength of the interface between new snow and the crust. Our next weathermaker is expected to move late tonight. It looks to be another mixed bag so stay tuned if you plan on visiting the mountain in the next few days.

THE LION HEAD SUMMER TRAIL IS CLOSED DUE TO THE AVALANCHE PRONE SLOPES JUST BELOW TREELINE. THE LION HEAD WINTER ROUTE IS OPEN. Mountaineering skills and equipment are required for safe travel on this route.

The Sherburne Ski Trail is open and has decent coverage though it is thin in places. Expect variable surface conditions as you take the first run on your new board or skis.

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.