Presidential Range

Avalanches are unlikely today but not impossible. Be prepared for the many dangers of a springtime snowpack which includes undermined snow, deep snow holes, and icy, refrozen snow surface. Refrozen snow surfaces on steep slopes significantly increase the risk of long sliding falls. Crampons, ice ax, and an appropriate skill set are necessary for traveling safely in avalanche terrain. 

Expect snow and weather conditions to change based on your elevation, aspect (facing-direction), and time of day. In addition to the many mountain hazards you could encounter (listed below), it is possible to find small wind slabs that formed overnight in extremely wind protected areas like below cliffs or in narrow gullies. If snowfall continues more than forecast, look out for larger snow drifts building on east-facing aspects and snow blowing at the ridgeline as signs that a more dangerous avalanche hazard is forming. Finding a little area of unstable wind-drifted snow today is not likely to bury you, but could be just enough to cause a fall on an icy, steep snow surface. 

Falling in steep terrain could have devastating consequences for you. 

Significant snow melt has introduced springtime mountain hazards, which include: 

• Refrozen snow surface: With cold temperatures this morning, be prepared for an icy snow surface which would be unforgiving for a dangerous long sliding fall. With warmer temperatures low in the ravines, and much colder temperatures on the higher summits, easy booting may turn into careful footwork with crampons as you climb higher in the terrain. Hard boots, crampons and an ice ax and the skills to use them can help prevent a dangerous fall. 

• 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 (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.

• Snow holes: 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.

• Ice and rockfall: Over the years many people have been severely injured or killed by falling ice in Tuckerman Ravine. The most hazardous locations are in the center and right side of the 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.

You can read more about springtime mountain hazards here

OBSERVATIONS: Please consider submitting an observation of what you are seeing in your travels. Submitting an observation hones your skills, informs other users, and improves our forecasts. 

Help avalanche researchers! The Colorado Avalanche Information Center, the Avalanche Research Program at Simon Fraser University, and the U.S. National Science Foundation National Center for Atmospheric Research are researching how skiers, snowmobilers, snowshoers, ice climbers, and anyone else who travels in the backcountry interpret avalanche forecast information. Completing this survey will take approximately 20 minutes. Thank you!