USFS Avalanche Bulletin

8:44 a.m., Monday, May 25, 2009

WARNING
ICE FALL DANGER
MASSIVE BLOCKS OF ICE THE SIZE OF AUTOMOBILES TRAVEL AT HIGH SPEEDS, HIT ROCKS, AND SEND DEADLY SHRAPNEL IN ALL DIRECTIONS

BE ALERT - BE AWARE
BE ICE SMART

WHITE MOUNTAIN National Forest

THIS IS THE LAST ADVISORY FOR THE SEASON. CERTAIN HAZARDS WILL PERSIST UNTIL MELTOUT SO PLEASE READ THIS FINAL ADVISORY BEFORE HEADING INTO THE RAVINES OR TO THE SUMMIT OF MT. WASHINGTON. WE'VE ENJOYED SEEING ALL OF YOU IN THE MOUNTAINS AND LOOK FORWARD TO NEXT WINTER.

The 5 scale (low through extreme) system will be reinstated next season when needed. This GENERAL ADVISORY will be in effect in Tuckerman until complete melt out later this summer. The snow coverage that is left has settled out, been skier compacted, and has been thru multiple melt-freeze processes. However, the numerous large snowfields may make for a good sliding surface for late season snow. A June or early July snowstorm is not an unheard of occurrence on Mt. Washington. Be prepared for the possibility of new snow instability if this occurs. Also watch for the possibility of sustained warm weather and/or heavy rain to blow out running water from beneath the snow. This has caused wet slush avalanches in the past. BE PREPARED TO DO YOUR OWN SNOW STABILITY ASSESSMENTS IF ENTERING AVALANCHE TERRAIN ON MT. WASHINGTON.

THE LIP AND THE TUCKERMAN RAVINE TRAIL THROUGH THE RAVINE FROM LUNCH ROCKS, ON THE FLOOR OF THE BOWL, TO THE JUNCTION WITH THE ALPINE GARDEN TRAIL JUST ABOVE THE HEADWALL ARE CLOSED TO ALL USE. Only this section of the trail is closed. This section is closed annually due to the magnitude of crevasses and undermining that develop in this area during the spring melt out. A fall in this area would have severe consequences. This trail section will be reopened when the tread melts out. Until then, be prepared to use an alternate route. Check in with one of the local visitor centers to determine the status of the closure before starting up. If you use motorized access to the summit of Mt. Washington it is NOT recommended that you descend any route through the Ravines. You will not be aware of the hazards below you. Many have attempted this over the years, often resulting in severe accidents.

BE AWARE OF FALLING ICE as this hazard will persist until complete melt out. The best thing you can do to protect yourself is to avoid spending time in the potential path of falling ice. If you are going to enter one of these paths, formulate a plan in advance for what you'll do when ice falls. CREVASSES AND UNDERMINED SNOW will continue to grow in size until melt out. These openings vary tremendously in size and include the many waterfalls on the Headwall. Hiking up what you plan on skiing is recommended so you can see what you're in for on the way down. This includes analyzing your run out which will become more limited as the season progresses. Skiers and climbers need to pay attention to what is below at all times and constantly evaluate the potential outcome of a fall or slide. As the water runs and melts out the snow from beneath, undermining will continue to occur, collapsing the snow above. Be extremely cautious in these areas.

We sincerely thank all the groups that helped us make it through the season successfully. We couldn't do the job without the many volunteer hours carrying injured people down the mountain and giving out good information to visitors. The Mount Washington Volunteer Ski Patrol once again put in a substantial amount of time with approximately 1850 hours of service for your safety this season! Since the Patrol began in 1938 one individual, Swampy Paris, has surpassed a full year of dedicated volunteerism with an unbelievable 497 days upon his retirement in 1984. Currently, Kevin LaRue, John Kneriem and Roger Damon are each closing in on an entire year (365 days) of their lives volunteering in the Ravine. The Patrol is truly an exceptionally dedicated bunch of folks and we look forward to their triumphant return next March.

Thanks for a great season and we’ll see you next winter. JEFF, JUSTIN, BRIAN, AND CHRIS

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 higher summits forecast.
 
• For more information, contact the U.S. Forest Service Snow Rangers or the AMC at the Pinkham Notch Visitor Center or Hermit Lake Shelters. This is the last advisory for the 2008-2009 season.

Christopher Joosen, Snow Ranger
USDA Forest Service
White Mountain National Forest
(603) 466-2713 TTY (603) 466-2856

Avalanche Advisory Archives

TUCKERMAN RAVINE
 Hillman's Highway 
NOT POSTED
 Lower Snowfields 
      NOT POSTED
 Little Headwall 
      NOT POSTED
 The Bowl 
        NOT POSTED
 Headwall 
       NOT POSTED
 The Lip 
      NOT POSTED
 Left Gully 
      NOT POSTED
 Right Gully 
    NOT POSTED

HUNTINGTON RAVINE
 Escape Hatch 
  NOT POSTED
 South Gully 
     NOT POSTED
 Odell's Gully 
   NOT POSTED
 Pinnacle Gully 
  NOT POSTED
 Central Gully 
    NOT POSTED
 Yale Gully 
     NOT POSTED
 Damnation Gully 
      NOT POSTED
 North Gully 
  NOT POSTED

 

U.S. AVALANCHE DANGER SCALE

LOW: Natural avalanches very unlikely. Human triggered avalanches unlikely. Generally stable snow. Isolated areas of instability. Travel is generally safe. Normal caution advised.
MODERATE: Natural avalanches unlikely. Human triggered avalanches possible.. Unstable slabs possible on steep terrain. Use caution in steeper terrain on certain aspects (defined in accompanying statement).
CONSIDERABLE: Natural avalanches possible. Human triggered avalanches probable. Unstable slabs probable on steep terrain. Be increasingly cautious in steeper terrain.
HIGH: Natural and human triggered avalanches likely. Unstable slabs likely on a variety of aspects and slope angles. Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended. Safest travel on windward ridges of lower angle slopes without steeper terrain above.
EXTREME: Widespread natural or human triggered avalanches certain. Extremely unstable slabs certain on most aspects and slope angles. Large destructive avalanches possible. Travel in avalanche terrain should be avoided and travel confined to low angle terrain well away from avalanche path run-outs.

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