Presidential Range

A passing cold front deposited up to nine inches of new snow on the higher summits late yesterday. New snow continues to fall at upper elevations this morning. Slopes that are being loaded by wind driven snow have the potential to avalanche naturally today as snowfall and elevated winds continue. Triggering these wind slabs on steep slopes seems likely. The avalanche danger is Considerable today at upper elevations where the new and wind drifted snow has accumulated. Natural or human-triggered avalanches could be large enough to carry and bury a person.

The summer Lionhead Trail traverse at treeline carries a Moderate danger rating due to the possibility of human-triggered avalanches there. Assess the slope for stability before crossing or use the winter route.

The Sherburne Ski Trail is unskiable low on the trail and riddled with rocks and mud past the rope at crossover #7. Cross to the Tuckerman Ravine Trail and walk down to avoid damaging the ski trail. For safety reasons, please do not ski on the Tuckerman Ravine hiking trail. 

Stability factors are a bit complex this morning so plan to bring your most solid partners along with your avalanche beacon, probe and shovel. While the warm snowpack most likely will allow for reasonable bonding at the new snow/old snow interface, it’s the volume of drier snow that fell later that will be responsible for an upside down snow structure. Denser wind slab building on softer snow which fell overnight is a red flag. Another red flag is continued loading today with 1-3” new snow and elevated winds blowing across prime fetch. Unfortunately, wind sheltered locations that lack this wind slab problem will be hard to find since little or no snow fell in areas outside of prime avalanche terrain. More wind sheltered locations at ravine elevations with reduced risk of natural avalanches and enough snow for enjoyable skiing will require careful assessment and safe travel techniques to access. This is a tall order and is likely best left to another day due to the crusty snow beneath the new snow or wind slabs.

The many holes and cracks in the snowpack that grew with recent rain and warm temperatures may have become thinly bridged over by new snow. Avoid south and southeast facing aspects as well as areas adjacent to frozen waterfalls, such as the Lip/Headwall area to reduce your exposure to falling in. 

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 Tuckerman 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.

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.

_____________

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.