Bollettino valanghe

Presidential Range

Mount Washington Avalanche Center
Vedi sulla mappa

Pericolo valanghe

Fri
Alta quota
2 · Moderato
Limite del bosco
2 · Moderato
Sotto il limite
1 · Debole
Open full map
Non aggiornato — questo bollettino è scaduto 4 years ago. Stai vedendo condizioni passate, non il bollettino in corso.

In sintesi

Increasing snowpack stability will make triggering an avalanche unlikely today, but not impossible. Isolated pockets of wind drifted snow are still our primary avalanche problem in the middle and upper elevations, and should be avoided to reduce the risk. With arctic weather conditions forecast for the next 48 hours, preparedness and good judgment are necessary for keeping yourself safe and warm.

Problemi valanghivi

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alta quota
    • Limite del bosco
    • Sotto il limite del bosco
    Probabilità
    Unlikely
    Dimensione
    1–2

    Isolated slabs of wind drifted snow still reside on slopes over 35 degrees in steepness. Many of the slabs are unreactive to human triggering but some large pockets could still have the potential to release if disturbed. With extreme cold temperatures and winds during this forecast period, we could see degrading crusts and weak layers that reach the point of failure. 

    With the use of test pits and compression tests it was still relatively easy to find a density change in the uppermost slab of drifted snow. The hardness of the snow 10 to 15 cm down from the surface changed from 1Finger to 4Finger, and this has become a targeted layer of weakness lately. CT14 @11 was repeatable with non-planar fracture characteristics; while ECTN22 @15 was representative of what we were seeing. Good overall stability accounts for moderate to hard test results and in isolated areas avalanches may be triggered by heavy loads. See Tuckerman Ravine Observation 1/1/23

Avalanche Discussion

Field observations yesterday saw the snowpack gaining stability overall. Folks who skied some of the larger paths reported strong slabs with a centimeter or two of dry wind blown snow on top. Aggressive boot packs were placed on the Upper Headwall, Right Gully, and through the middle of Left Gully with no new avalanches. On more southerly aspects a melt freeze crust has formed that was breakable and easily boot penetrated. 

Overall our snowpack has good stability with the potential outlier of isolated larger pockets of triggerable snow. Today we may see the final transition of these wind transported slabs from moderate to low. Time and snowpack sintering have allowed most of the recent slabs to become unreactive. Triggering an avalanche is unlikely in much of the terrain today, while it is very unlikely you will see natural avalanches. 

The Lion Head Summer Trail is CLOSED due to increased avalanche hazard. The Lion Head Winter Route is OPEN and the most direct route to the Mount Washington Summit from Pinkham Notch. 

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. 

Regioni coperte