Presidential Range

Use normal caution by carrying avalanche rescue gear and watch out for springtime mountain hazards like undermined snow, deep holes in the snowpack, and heavy wet snow that wants to slide under your feet. Crampons, ice axes, and helmets help reduce the risk of a fall in steep terrain.

Remember that LOW avalanche danger does not mean no avalanche danger. There is always some level of uncertainty during rain-on-snow events. Continue to use normal caution in avalanche terrain by carrying avalanche rescue equipment and making informed decisions about when, how, and what terrain you are traveling in.

Heavy rain and persistent warm temperatures have worked to soften, settle, and melt the snowpack. Expect a wet, soft snow surface that is highly saturated from rain. The surface snow could cause heavy sluffing or small loose wet avalanches in very steep terrain from a footstep or a ski turn. As rain and warmth continue, small, naturally triggered loose wet avalanches are not impossible, especially in steep ravines like Tuckerman Ravine, Huntington Ravine, or Great Gulf. 

While soft and wet snow is widespread, this does not eliminate the need for crampons and an ice axe in steep terrain. Be prepared for variable surface conditions, including hard, slick snow where a fall could have serious consequences.

Spring hazards should be top-of-mind as warm temperatures and heavy rain continue. In Tuckerman Ravine, the combination of warm air and rain increases the possibility of large icefall from the headwall and ice cliffs. Car-sized blocks of ice are looming above popular slopes, and these can release without warning. Avoid lingering under ice cliffs and stay aware of what is above you. Glide cracks, deep holes, and undermined snow are starting to show themselves in the mountains. Remain observant to identify these hazards and give them a wide margin. 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.