Presidential Range

Enjoy today’s mild weather and a generally stable snowpack while recognizing that spring hazards are beginning to appear. Watch out for small sluffs of loose snow under your feet which can trip you up in steep terrain where a fall could have serious consequences.

Under an inch of dense snow (0.7” 0.57’ SWE) early in the day yesterday blanketed the terrain at mid and upper elevations. In Tuckerman Ravine yesterday we found little signs of drifting, leaving us with an evenly distributed thin layer of snow blanketing the still-wet bed surface created from the warm up into the upper 30s the night prior. 

The recent periods of intermittent warm, wet and then cold weather has left us with a generally stable snowpack reducing concerns for triggering an avalanche. 

A greater concern today is an increase in mountain hazards from undermined snow and warming temperatures. In Tuckerman Ravine yesterday, the sound of moving water could be heard around the area of the Lip. That same water course has undermined the snow leading into the drainage of The Little Headwall. Icefall will present a hazard in the upcoming weeks. Rocks and boulders found in the runouts of many ski runs greatly increase the danger from sliding falls. 

Perhaps the greatest danger today will come from other people. With our current limited snowpack, many people climbing one bootpack while multiple people ski the slope puts people at risk for events initiated by others above. When in steep terrain today, consider the consequences of someone falling above you. Limit your exposure by reducing your time below others. Consider accessing terrain from above, and if doing so remember that there’s likely going to be people below you. 

Thanks to everyone who has taken the time to submit observations of snow and avalanche conditions, both inside and outside our avalanche forecast area. Please keep them coming.