Lawinenlagebericht

Presidential Range

Mount Washington Avalanche Center
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Lawinengefahr

Mon
Hochgebirge
1 · Gering
Waldgrenze
1 · Gering
Unterhalb
1 · Gering
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Veraltet — dieser Lagebericht ist 6 years ago abgelaufen. Du siehst vergangene Verhältnisse, nicht den aktuellen Bericht.

Kernpunkte

LOW avalanche danger exists throughout the forecast area, though the potential for small avalanches from wind drifted snow remains in isolated areas at mid and upper elevations. Human triggered avalanches are unlikely but not impossible. Left Gully and the variations of Chute in Tuckerman Ravine along with north facing gullies in Huntington Ravine  are examples of the isolated areas where these wind slabs exist. These smooth, hollow sounding slabs are easy to identify. Reduce the consequences of your exposure to this hazard by having members of your party travel one at a time while wearing an avalanche transceiver and carrying a probe and shovel. Hard, smooth snow exists on many other aspects. Crampons and an ice axe will increase your security in those areas.

The Winter Lion Head Route is now the best option to climb to the summit from Pinkham Notch with wind slab avalanche hazards on the summer trail near treeline.

Lawinenprobleme

  • Wind Slabs

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Unlikely
    Größe
    1

    Avalanche concerns today are mostly limited to new wind slabs formed last week. The 10-13 cm of snow recorded at the manual snow plots (1/27 - 1/29) likely passed through a brief period of instability before being impacted by NW and N wind on the 29th. What remains is mostly firm (1F) stubborn slabs. Isolated pockets of softer snow, sometimes capped with a stiffer slab, can be found in wind sheltered areas, and may be able to crack and fail given the right terrain configuration and a human trigger. While these pockets of softer wind slabs have demonstrated an increased sensitivity, they lack the propensity and or volume of snow to become large avalanches in all areas assessed. Keep in mind that even a small avalanche can be a problem in steep consequential terrain or a terrain trap. Watch for smooth pillows of softer snow on the surface. If boot or ski penetration increases more than a few inches, you've found one of the wind slabs formed on Thursday.

Avalanche Discussion

A mix of snow surfaces exist at mid and upper elevations preceding the oncoming Nor’easter. Most of our upper elevation avalanche start zones have a wind scoured, relatively smooth surface. Middle start zones show areas of wind textured snow and pockets of softer but largely unreactive wind slab resting on top of the stubborn slabs formed from the 157 mph wind last weekend. The 157 mph snow surface is very dense and mostly smooth and will make for a really poor bonding surface and a great bed surface for avalanches to run. The winter storm is forecasted to impact the area Monday night and Tuesday with the potential of 10” new snow affected by E and NE winds. For Tuesday, expect increased avalanche hazard and keep in mind the now larger, smooth bed surfaces found in the upper start zones.

Your avalanche, snowpack, or weather observations are extremely valuable to the forecasters at MWAC. Help create a more accurate avalanche forecast by submitting your observations here. 

Listen to the weekly MWAC Outreach Podcast provided by Ski The Whites. Discussions include snowpack information, weekend outlook, and general avalanche related info.  

Thursday, February 4 @ 7PM - Avalanche Awareness with Al Mandel.Al Mandell of Acadia Mountain Guides joins us to chat live about Avalanche Awareness.  We hope you join us!

The Harvard Cabin is open for camping only with no entry allowed inside the cabin.

Please Remember:

  • Safe travel in avalanche terrain requires training and experience. This forecast is just one tool to help you make your own decisions in avalanche terrain. You control your own risk by choosing where, when, and how you travel.
  • Avalanche danger may change when actual weather differs from the higher summits forecast.

For more information contact the US Forest Service Snow Rangers, AMC visitor services staff at the Pinkham Notch Visitor Center, or the caretakers at Hermit Lake Shelters or seasonally at the Harvard Cabin (generally December 1 through March 31). The Mount Washington Ski Patrol is also available on spring weekends.

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