Huntington Ravine also has both LOW and MODERATE avalanche danger. Yale, Damnation, and North gullies have Low avalanche danger. Natural avalanches are very unlikely and human triggered avalanches are unlikely except in isolated pockets. Normal caution is advised. All other forecast areas in Huntington have Moderate avalanche danger. Natural avalanches are unlikely and human triggered avalanches are possible. Use caution in steeper terrain.

It appears we may be slowly coming out of our warm flow and get back to more seasonable conditions. I may be optimistic but a couple of systems that are setting up should bring snow rather than rain. That's all the medium range forecast I need right now to pick up my spirits. We have just begun snowing here at Hermit Lake which is the beginning of a 3-6" (7.5-15cm) of snow forecasted for the day. Finally something white! Snow should pick up through the day on a southwesterly flow trending towards the West late in the day around sunset. The models and forecasts are not in agreement on wind direction, but current S winds leads us to believe the models pumping out a SSW to WSW flow (between 220 to 260 degrees on the compass rose). Wind speeds are expected to be around 30 mph (50kph) gusting to 40mph (65kph). This should load today's snow primarily onto N through E aspects with NE slopes being right in the bulls-eye. Due to this expect a slow progression through each area's current rating, being on the upper end by late in the day. Currently precipitation seems to be a little ahead of schedule so if we reach the upper end of the forecasted snow amounts during daylight anticipate some areas to bump up a rating. Steep NE aspects would likely be the first slopes to see natural activity being "possible", which fall under the "Considerable" rating. If this occurs I would expect this to play out near the end of the daylight hours. So, in short all areas should stay within their ratings today hedging to the next rating late. "Moderate" areas will be pushing "Considerable" and "Low" will trend towards "Moderate". Another major hazard to be conscience of is the extraordinarily hard old surface conditions. To call it bullet proof is truly an understatement. "Cruise missile proof" or "Howitzer proof" would be better for many locations. Crampons, an ice axe and solid technique are a must in most areas on the upper part of the mountain today. Our snowpack is better described as an "icepack" and self-arrest would be very difficult to execute successfully. Use caution and be honest about you skills and mountaineering experience. Yesterday afternoon we received a call about a mountaineer who fell and sustained injuries due to these unforgiving surface conditions. The rescue required multiple rope lowers and 2 dozen rescuers to get the individual to the road by 8pm. Once again our thanks go out to MRS and AVSAR, two volunteer rescue groups dedicated to helping those injured or lost in the mountains. Multiple climbers already in the Ravine were an enormous help getting the rescue going before we arrived.

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 with very thin cover and varying conditions. Expect bare ground, long sections of water ice, deep waterbars and water channels that can grab a ski tip very quickly. The rescue last night required multiple passes with our snowcat to get rescuers to the scene for the first time this season. This has helped chew up blue/gray water ice a bit. New snow today should hold better in these locations. Lets hope snow starts improving our thin icy conditions!