Avalanche forecast

Presidential Range

Mount Washington Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
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Highlights

Large natural or human-triggered avalanches are unlikely today though loose, wet sluffs will be a regular occurance. Sluffs will form flowing channels of slush in steep terrain. The runnels formed by the moving snow have added another obstacle in the fall line of many of the steeper, well travelled runs. On less travelled steep slopes, be sure to keep the debris flow ahead of you.

Falling ice and crowds of people will create significant and unpredictable hazards in Tuckerman Ravine today. Tips to minimize hazards:

  • Congregate low on the floor of Tuckerman Ravine, well away from Lunch Rocks and the base of the Headwall. Lunch Rocks doesn’t provide adequate protection from falling ice.
  • Keep away from openings in the snow. The hole in the snowpack formed by the waterfall in the Lip grows to nearly 100’ deep. Falling in is likely to be fatal. The hole beginning to open lower down the slopes is around 70’ deep.
  • Be wary of people above you on steep boot ladders. Crampons and an ice axe will increase your security as well as those beneath you. Be prepared to dodge falling people and dropped objects.

The summer Lionhead Trail is open for travel and is a better alternative to the winter route. 

The lower half of Sherburne ski trail is mostly rocks and mud and is now CLOSED at the rope, currently located across the trail at crossover 5.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1

    Continuous temperatures above freezing have created a surface layer of wet, slushy snow on all aspects. The sloppy snow is dense and can move beneath your skis and possibly carry you. Be careful in steep terrain above obstacles where falls will have greater consequences. Slopes with lots of solar gain due to aspect and slope angle combined with adjacent cliffs and brush, which retain and reflect heat, will contain the greatest risk. 

    Tuckerman Ravine 4/10/21. A fall into one of these openings could be dangerous or unsurvivable.

Avalanche Discussion

Wet snow avalanche concerns over this warming spell, are mostly limited to the upper snowpack. Warming, wetting and freezing cycles at the end of March have likely stabilized deeper weak layers, significantly reducing our concerns for a deep wet slab. While large avalanches are unlikely, the risk is not eliminated, especially in the northern parts of the range which received much more snow last week. Please resist the temptation to swap out avalanche rescue gear for that extra bottle of water. Carry both, you are strong enough.

If you plan on skiing in Tuckerman Ravine today, here’s a list of things to consider: 

  • Icefall is a real danger, avoid or pass under ice cliffs quickly. Fallen ice can travel downhill fast and is very heavy. Sit far back away from this hazard.  
  • If anyone in your party needs to be littered out, your party or bystanders will need to assist with the litter handling all the way to Pinkham. Rescue resources are limited at Hermit Lake. 
  • The Little Headwall and streambed above are melted out. Plan on walking back to Hermit Lake.
  • The waterfall holes and moats near rocks are growing large enough to fall into in the Headwall area of Tuckerman Ravine. The main waterfall hole and the “Open Book” ice climb hole below are both over 75’ deep. Smaller versions of these moat and ice cliff hazards exist in other ravines and gullies in the range so assess your line carefully.
  • The Lip is still skiable but adjacent moats and the waterfall hole increase the hazard. 
  • See this video for a look at Friday’s conditions which will be similar to those found today.

 Warm temperatures accelerate the typical spring hazards which include: 

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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. 

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

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.

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