Presidential Range
Avalanche danger
Highlights
The snowpack is generally stable and avalanches are unlikely. The greater concern is springtime mountain hazards, including sliding falls on icy snow, falling ice, open holes, and undermined snow. Identify and avoid these hazards as you travel.The final daily avalanche forecast will be Wednesday, April 8th. We will continue providing up-to-date snowpack information with a General Avalanche Information bulletin for the remainder of the season.
Avalanche Discussion
Expect to find a mostly stable snowpack across the Presidential Range today. Wet snow avalanches are unlikely today, but not impossible. Wet snow avalanches can be unpredictable, so continue to use safe avalanche travel techniques and carry avalanche rescue gear.
Spring mountain hazards are in full effect and refreshing your knowledge on these hazards can help you make informed decisions when you encounter them.
- Long, sliding falls: Long sliding falls are one of the most serious hazards in the White Mountains during the winter and spring. When snow surfaces become firm or icy, especially after a freeze or rain event, a simple stumble can quickly turn into an uncontrollable slide-for-life. These falls often result in traumatic injuries and can be fatal. Steep terrain like the Summer Lion Head Trail Traverse leaves little room for error. Preventing a fall is your best defense: this means wearing crampons, using an ice axe, and using deliberate, well-practiced footwork.
- Falling ice: We received reports of large chunks of falling ice in Huntington Ravine yesterday. As temperatures remain above freezing and rain erodes the ice’s bond to the rock, large releases of ice fall can happen suddenly and without warning. Choose a route that minimizes or eliminates the time you spend under large sections of ice in steep terrain.
- Undermined snow: Meltwater flowing under the snowpack melts away the snow above, creating thin bridges of snow that can collapse. These will emerge at the tops of gullies and in areas that have streams running, like the Little Headwall area. The sound of running water can sometimes be heard under the snow and is a good indicator of this hazard.
- Snow holes: Snow holes and glide cracks are opening up. These openings in the snowpack can be very deep and large enough for a person to fall into. In most cases, these openings have no reasonable exit until the snow completely finishes melting. These features have been a factor in several accidents over the years.
Check out the Springtime Mountain Hazards page for more info.
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MWAC’s 2026 Spring Fundraiser is live. The snow may be melting on Mount Washington, but the work of keeping people informed, prepared, and safer in the mountains continues year-round. Your support helps make that work possible for next season and beyond.Managing Human Factors Survey. Human factors play a major role in backcountry decision-making. Researchers Ian McCammon and Sara Boilen are developing new tools for managing human factors for backcountry skiers and boarders. This survey asks about personal experiences with human factors and will take 7-8 minutes to complete.