Several moisture starved fronts will pass through the area over the next couple of days providing a threat of snow showers in the mountains. We can also expect to see temperatures a bit above normal. It looks like our next hope for some snow will be Wednesday, however, temperatures may be on the warm side to give us what we want. An active pattern will continue into the weekend as well providing some potential for the white stuff. It isn't worth sugar-coating our current conditions because we just don't have much snow. Left Gully and the Chute managed to hang on to some snow during the November thaw and they provide the most potential for avalanches during the next weather event. Other pockets have developed around the Ravines which could create isolated stability issues for ice climbers. It only takes a small area underfoot to give way to cause some dire results. Don't focus all your attention on the size of an avalanche, but on the consequences of what will happen to you. If you do plan on doing some ice climbing realize ice just started forming about 8 days ago and conditions are still thin in many areas. If you do intend to climb leave the pickets at home and bring rock gear with a focus on small protection.

Winter is here so don't plan on being able to follow summer trails safely without the right equipment. Be ready for the conditions you'll face with appropriate winter gear, i.e. winter clothes, ice axe, crampons, avalanche beacons, shovels, and probes. Don't wait any longer to refresh your avalanche skills. Pull out your beacon, install some fresh high quality alkaline batteries, and practice. Review your safe travel rules, techniques for assessing snow stability, and sign up for an avalanche course.

Avalanche courses offered in the valley this winter are now on our website, tuckerman.org.