Avalanche forecast

Presidential Range

Mount Washington Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
No rating
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Out of date — this forecast expired 4 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Traveling through thin wind-drifted slabs in steep terrain could promote small avalanches on eastern aspects. Slick and icy slopes, loaded with new snow, will act as a sliding surface for both uncontrolled falls and dry snow avalanches. Crampons and self-arrest tools, avoiding fresh slabs, and awareness to those above and below you will increase your safety margins today.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1

    Just enough new snow and westerly winds have formed thin and isolated slabs of wind-drifted snow. You could find dry wind-transported snow on aspects facing northeast through south in the middle and upper elevations. Shallow slabs reside over an icy bed-surface that is refrozen and textured. It is unlikely that wind slab avalanches will bury you today, but being swept off your feet by moving snow is a stark reality. In popular steep ski terrain, someone hiking or skiing above you may trigger one of these stubborn pockets of unstable snow, sending it down upon you.

Avalanche Discussion

Dozens of skiers, snowboarders, and even a monoski entered the steep and committing terrain of Tuckeman Ravine yesterday. Conditions were best described as a trace of new snow over ice. Long-sliding falls were a reality and injuries occurred. Equipment failure and a lack of traction were to blame for some of the lengthy uncontrolled falls.

In one accident, an individual ascending a boot-pack took an unintended slide to the bottom from loose dry snow that had been triggered from a skier above. This is a perfect case where self arrest tools and situational awareness of climbers below you could have avoided a situation. It is important to remember that these conditions promote sliding, and once momentum is gained it is very difficult to stop smoothly.

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.

The Lion Head Summer Trail is closed for the season due to avalanche risk. The Lion Head Winter Route is open.

Regions covered