Avalanche Advisory for Tuckerman and Huntington Ravines
Posted: 6:01 a.m., Wednesday, December 27, 2006

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 past couple of days have provided the summit of Mt. Washington with 3.3" (8.4 cm) of snow with a mix of freezing rain in between snow squalls. There has been some blowing snow reported recently so you may find a pocket of wind slab here and there. Some of these pockets will be trying to bond to ice and rain crusts which should be the focus of your stability assessments. Don't focus all your attention on the size of an avalanche, but on the consequences of what will happen to you if one occurs.

The forecast for the week ahead is calling for light snow showers in the mountains and colder temperatures. By the end of the day on Wednesday, we should see temperatures in higher terrain dip to 0 F (-18 C) with brisk NW winds. Saturday night is our next hope for a real weather maker to bring snow to us. Keep your eye on the weather as you make your weekend plans.

Right now the Summit has received just over half the monthly average for snowfall in December and November came in well below average. The ravines are looking barren for this time of year and you should realize that there is virtually no skiing or riding to be had on the mountain right now. This is good news for ice climbers. The lack of snow is leaving more ice exposed than usual for this time of year. If you plan on doing some ice climbing realize ice is still thin in some areas. Recent rain combined 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. You can leave the snow pickets at home and bring rock gear with a focus on smaller protection.

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.

Please Remember:
•   It is impossible to accurately predict natural events, such as avalanches, in every instance. This Advisory is one tool to help you make your own decisions in avalanche terrain. It should be used along with safe travel techniques, snow stability assessments, an understanding of weather's effect on the snowpack, and proficiency in avalanche rescue.
 
•   You should obtain the latest weather forecast before heading into the mountains. Anticipate a changing avalanche danger when actual weather differs from the National Weather Service forecast.
 
•   For more information, contact the U.S. Forest Service Snow Rangers, the HMC Caretaker at the Harvard Cabin, and the AMC at Pinkham Notch Visitor Center or Hermit Lake Shelters.

Brian Johnston, Snow Ranger
USDA Forest Service
White Mountain National Forest
(603) 466-2713 TTY (603) 466-2856
 
This is the Official Tuckerman Ravine website.  Occasionally the remoteness of Tuckerman Ravine, weather, or communication problems prevent the website from being updated immediately.  Check the date, and if it is not the most recent, you can also call the National Forest Service's 24 hour avalanche hotline at (603) 466-2713 (ext. 4)

Avalanche Advisory Archives.

United States Avalanche Danger Descriptions.

Échelle Canadienne de risque d’avalanche.

Back to the Tuckerman Ravine Home Page

es:ârvic:ã