Well after an early morning attempt up the trail to the Ravines deep drifts and blowdowns have blocked a time effective trip to get the avalanche advisory out early this morning. So I'm back at Pinkham Notch to do a direct down and dirty advisory before making a second attempt. It will be very difficult to get a good accurate snow depth and water content today based on high winds and deep drifts. We are in the 2 foot range for most of the mid-mountain, including Hermit Lake and lower down. Pinkham DOT recorded 21" (57.5cm) while Gorham found 26" (65cm) when they woke up this morning, which is the statewide high total. Very high winds from the E created drifts from one direction and since late last night 100+mph (160+kph) from the NW is now drifting and loading from the other direction. Basically today we have solid HIGH avalanche conditions in both Ravines. Although the wind speeds today will scour some areas, particularly in Huntington, the tremendous amount of snow movement will continuously load numerous locations. The runouts from slide paths in both Ravines cross one another down low. If a few areas are becoming scoured you are still at risk from natural avalanches from other locations. Therefore, we strongly advise staying clear of avalanche terrain today.

Winds are expected to stay very high today from the WNW gusting over 100 mph (160kph) and temperatures continuing to fall from the current of -20F(-29C) to -25F(-32C) later this afternoon. More snow showers will occur today bringing additional loading. Coupling the extreme weather with very slow going through deep wind packed, boot sucking, drifts it will be a rough day to be on the mountain.

The Lion Head Winter Route is open. This is a steep and challenging route. Crampons, an ice axe, and the ability to properly use this equipment are necessary for safe travel on this route.

The John Sherburne Ski Trail will be quite slow due to drifting in numerous locations particularly in long low angle or flat terrain. If you've got big fatty boards you're gonna need them. A split board for the way up and riding down might be the ideal quiver choice today.