Lawinenlagebericht

Presidential Range

Mount Washington Avalanche Center
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Lawinengefahr

Fri
Hochgebirge
1 · Gering
Waldgrenze
2 · Mässig
Unterhalb
Keine Stufe
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Veraltet — dieser Lagebericht ist last year abgelaufen. Du siehst vergangene Verhältnisse, nicht den aktuellen Bericht.

Kernpunkte

You could trigger an avalanche on easterly slopes in snow that appears smooth, bright white, and pillowy. Lookout for snow deeper than your boottops on steep slopes as warning signs. Traveling on scoured surfaces reduces your chances of triggering an avalanche, but may require crampons, an ice axe, and the skills to use them if the surface remains firm. 

Lawinenprobleme

  • Wind Slabs

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Possible
    Größe
    1–2

    What and where is it:

    Wind slabs were observed on east and south aspects that were 10-20 inches thick. These were generally small and patchy, with isolated areas that held larger and more connected slabs. 

    Today at upper elevation you are likely to find small and colder wind slabs as temperatures are forecast well below freezing. In middle elevation, you are likely to find warming wind slabs with temperatures rising above freezing.

    How can you recognize it: 

    Lookout for bright white, smooth, and pillowy snow to identify surface slabs. As you move through terrain, dig into the new snow until you reach the icy old snow surface to understand the slab size. Informal tests like hand shears will help you to assess sensitivity. You may find cracking under your feet, but as these slabs are in the process of settling the absence of cracking does not indicate stability. Steep terrain and convex features are the areas where you will be most likely to trigger a slab today.

    How can you manage it:

    With clear visibility, your eyes will be your best tool. Travel on icy, scoured surfaces as you are unlikely to trigger an avalanche there and identify areas of pillowy snow that you want to avoid or assess further. Warming temperatures throughout the day will change how slabs may react so look for signs in the snow surface to assess warming. Increasingly stubborn hand shears may indicate that slabs are in the process of settling. Seeing rollerballs and wetting surface snow are signs of warming and this is a good time to reassess the snowpack. Pay mind to what terrain is underneath you as previous warming has exposed rocks and trees which could amplify the consequence of even a small avalanche. 

Avalanche Discussion

Today warming temperatures, clear skies, and decreasing winds at middle elevation will change how wind slabs react throughout the day. If warming is gradual, wind slabs are likely to further settle with decreasing sensitivity and limited propensity for propagation. Signs of this will be increasingly stubborn hand shears and slabs bonding to the icy old snow layer. At upper elevation wind slabs are likely to remain cold and more sensitive. These were observed to be small, but could exist in steep terrain above exposure like rocks and trees which could be consequential if it caused a fall.

There is the possibility that warming temperatures in middle elevation will wet and soften surface snow so wet loose snow avalanches are something to keep in mind. Signs of this will be wetting surface snow and roller balls in steep terrain. These are most likely to occur while you are descending and wet loose snow may sluff at your feet. It is possible that point releases could occur naturally, but this is most likely to occur in steep terrain under rocks. These are likely to be small, but there is the potential for a surprising amount of snow to be entrained down to the firm old snow layer. Based on forecasted temperatures this scenario is unlikely to happen, but if temperatures rise quickly with low winds and clear skies is something to keep in mind. 

It’s worth refreshing your knowledge on the most dangerous mountain hazards you could encounter during this time of year. Snow holes, undermined snow, and icy slopes could be hidden by new snow today. 

  • Long Sliding Falls: Long sliding falls are one of the most serious hazards in the White Mountains during the winter and spring. When snow surfaces become firm or icy, especially after a freeze or rain event, a simple stumble can quickly turn into an uncontrollable slide-for-life. These falls often result in traumatic injuries and can be fatal. Steep terrain like the Summer Lion Head Trail Traverse leaves little room for error. Preventing a fall is your best defense: this means wearing crampons, using an ice axe, and using deliberate, well-practiced footwork. Once you're sliding, it’s often too late.Exposed rocks, trees, and ice could amplify the consequences of a fall. Knowing what is below you will be important as these hazards can make more areas no-fall zones.
  • Undermined Snow: Meltwater flowing under the snowpack melts away the snow above, creating thin bridges of snow that can collapse. These will emerge at the tops of gullies (particularly on south-facing slopes) and in areas that have streams running, like the brook feeding the Little Headwall. The sound of running water can sometimes be heard under the snow and is a good indicator of this hazard.
  • Snow Holes: Snow holes are opening up. These openings in the snowpack can be very deep and large enough for a person to fall into. In most cases, these openings have no reasonable exit until the snow completely finishes melting. These features have been a factor in several accidents over the years.

Check out our Springtime Mountain Hazards page for more info.

OBSERVATIONS: Please consider submitting an observation on our website or in the new Avy phone app of what you are seeing in your travels. Submitting an observation hones your skills, informs other users, and improves our forecasts. 

SURVEY: For years, the avalanche community has worked to understand and address the human factors that influence decision-making in the backcountry. With decades of research as their foundation, Sara Boilen and Ian McCammon are developing an open-source tool to help individuals mitigate risk in avalanche terrain. The project's first stage involves interviewing backcountry recreationalists who have been traveling in avalanche terrain for at least one season. All participants will be entered to win amazing raffle prizes (from Jones Snowboards, BCA, and more!). If you’re curious about being involved, please take 1-2 minutes to fill out our basic initial survey!

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