This is a GENERAL AVALANCHE ADVISORY. Use of the 5-scale danger rating system will begin when conditions warrant. Until then new advisories will be issued as needed. A General Advisory is issued when instabilities are isolated within the entire forecast area. However it's important to realize that avalanche activity may occur within these locations before the issuance of a 5-scale forecast. This is a critical fact to remember. Under a General Advisory you need to make your own avalanche stability assessments before venturing into any open slopes. Realize that snowfields may be developing on existing summer trails. Always check the latest avalanche advisory before heading into avalanche terrain.

The latest weather maker gave us a wonderful wintry mix over the past 36 hours which resulted in rain and freezing rain totaling 0.7" (1.75cm) of water and no snow. The greatest result was a shellacing of verglas ice at all elevations on the mountain. Temperatures moved into the lower 40's F during the midday at the 3300 to 4300ft level which began eroding the new coating. As temperatures warmed we started loosing the varnish off of rocks making travel a bit easier, but it currently still remains quite difficult. All snow on the ground is now very hard as rain soaked in and refroze overnight. Higher on the mountain below freezing temperatures persisted longer creating a thicker coating of ice that rain did not completely eliminate. But as clouds engulf this terrain riming has been growing on this ice which has been helping to make travel actually possible. With all this said travel is very difficult with high winds exacerbating the situation. Crampons will be absolutely necessary in many places and very awkward in others as they scratch across rocky sections. Travel up from Pinkham to Hermit Lake is also very slick. Some sort of boot traction device and ski poles will be very helpful.

The snowpack on the ground has been going through "lockup" as it cures like concrete. Any avalanche potential will be from new snow that becomes loaded onto the slick surfaces that currently exist. Upslope snow potential will stay with us into the afternoon, but as of 7am we haven't witnessed this or seen local radar evidence. Valleys will see more rain and wintry mix conditions all the way into Tuesday. Tuesday night and Wednesday look like the most reliable conditions for some snow in the near future. After that the week appears unremarkable with exception of colder air which will help ice to reform. Keep your eyes open over the next few days for high elevation snow loading onto slick surface conditions. Once again if you are moving into fresh snow be skeptical of the bonding to the old surface at the interface. Remember it only takes a small area underfoot to give way causing 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 plan on doing some ice climbing realize ice is 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. The amount of rain with refreezing conditions has created the possibility for ice dams. Hydraulic pressure builds behind ice waiting to be released by a crampon or ice tool. These releases can be explosive so use as much caution as possible.

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 including 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.