Presidential Range

Above-freezing temperatures, rain and a melting snowpack continue today with the possibility of falling ice, undermined snow and small, human-triggered wet loose avalanches. Beware of the growing holes in the snowpack, especially near waterfalls and around rocks. Falling through a thin bridge of snow over a stream course, or worse, into a waterfall hole, can have serious consequences. Falling temperatures later today will bring wet snow along with a sliding fall hazard as the snow surface freezes and becomes icy. 

The summer Lionhead Trail is open but the traverse at treeline is steep and can be icy. Bring crampons and an ice axe.

Warm temperatures with light to moderate rain over the next few days will increase the rate of melting snow, contributing to springtime hazards. Some of these hazards are obvious while some are not. For example, the waterfall hole in The Lip of Tuckerman Ravine is impossible to see from above due to the convex terrain. For icefall and rock fall, simply limit your exposure by limiting your time undercliffs and melting ice above: don’t linger, either avoid or move past quickly. 

The many holes and cracks in the snowpack may become thinly bridged over by new snow falling tonight and tomorrow. Avoid south facing aspects and areas adjacent to frozen waterfalls, such as the Lip/Headwall area, which are in various stages of melting, to reduce your exposure to falling in. As the snowpack refreezes, a sliding fall hazard will develop. Be prepared to turn around before snow gets crusty and hard.

The typical spring hazards emerged in recent weeks and should factor into your travel plans.

• Icefall and rockfall: Over the years many people have been severely injured or killed by falling ice in Tuckerman. The most hazardous locations are in the center and right side of the ravine, including Lunch Rocks, the Sluice, Lip, and Center Bowl. Warm weather and rain increase the potential for icefall to occur. Avoid spending time in high risk areas like Lunch Rocks or on the floor of the ravine in the fall line of ice in the headwall.
• Glide cracks and waterfall holes: As the snowpack gradually gives way to gravity and creeps downhill, it pulls away from cliffs and leaves gaps. These gaps are the horizontal cracks that will soon appear in the steep terrain, most noticeably in the Lip and Sluice. These gaps can be deep enough to cause fatal injuries, especially around the main waterfall. 
• Undermined snow: Meltwater flowing under the snowpack melts away the snow above, creating thin bridges of snow that can collapse. These are beginning to 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. Breaking through weak snow into one of the larger water courses could be fatal if you become trapped.
• Long, sliding falls: Part of what makes spring skiing so great is the melt/freeze cycle that creates stable, firm corn snow. The cycle begins when the snowpack freezes at night or in the afternoon shade on cooler days. This refreeze creates a hard surface on which it is nearly impossible to arrest a fall with skis or an ice axe. Refrozen snow can cause trouble for those looking to get “just one more run” at the end of the day.

Regulations on Federal public lands supersede state mandates regarding protection from the coronavirus and it’s variants. These regulations require the use of a face mask when social distancing is not possible. Please plan to wear a mask in busy areas like the deck and courtyard at Hermit Lake and the floor of Tuckerman Ravine on a busy day.

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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. 

The Harvard Cabin is now closed for the season. There is no access to the breezeway at HoJos.

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.