A significant storm is passing us to the south today leaving us with dry conditions in the weather forecast. Some good news is on the horizon. A fast moving Clipper system will pass through our region bringing light snow Wednesday night and Thursday. Wrap around moisture is expected to continue in the mountains after it passes giving us hope for additional accumulation. Until then, the only stability concerns we have are isolated pockets of new slabs that were formed early yesterday morning. These are scattered about in both Ravines and they are sitting on a rough but icy crust. If you are not on the icy crust you can assume that the slab you are on was deposited yesterday. Use caution in these areas and stay on the old surface when possible. Besides the isolated pockets of new snow you will generally find ideal crampon conditions on the exposed rain crust. Individuals skilled in crampon use will find travel to be quick and pleasurable. While snow climbing conditions are efficient, realize that the surface is very slippery and self-arrest must be executed immediately to keep you from reaching terminal velocity. CRAMPONS AND AN ICE AXE ARE MANDATORY EQUIPMENT FOR SAFE TRAVEL IN ANY ANGLED TERRAIN. Be prepared for isolated post-hole conditions in some flat and vegetated areas, like the bottom of the Escape Hatch. The crust likes to support body weight most of the time and then it breaks suddenly and your foot disappears into the subterranean world while you body continues with forward progress. We found this to be unpleasant and potentially hazardous depending on your inertia.

Facet growth conditions have been ideal though they are up against an impressive rain crust. Cold temperatures above the crust and warm wet snow below the crust have made some enormous temperature gradients. Currently it's fun to watch, but is being bridged by the strength of the crust. As of right now is not an instability factor but we will continue to watch it closely.

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's very thin in places. Expect variable surface conditions with a hard unforgiving icy surface being the prominent feature.

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.