Presidential Range

Human triggered avalanches are possible today from recent snow that remains unsettled. Slabs of wind drifted snow up to two feet thick can be found in our slide paths (ski runs) and will be large enough to carry and bury you. In Tuckerman Ravine, target areas for the largest slabs include Chute, Center Headwall, The Lip, Sluice and upper Hillman’s Highway. You can limit your exposure to this by steering clear of the deepest slabs, and also avoid traveling under other parties which could trigger a slide above you.  

The summer Lionhead Trail traverse at treeline carries a Moderate danger rating due to the possibility of human-triggered avalanches. Assess the slope for stability before crossing or use the winter route.

It’s worth repeating today something we’ve not stated in awhile, due to recent melt freeze cycles the current avalanche concerns are largely limited to the new snow on the surface that fell on Friday afternoon through Saturday morning. Considering avalanches, the snowpack beneath is stable and unlikely to produce a slab avalanche. You can use this to your advantage today by seeking areas of limited new snow to reduce your exposure to wet slab and wet loose avalanches. 

Also keep in mind that avalanches are not the only issue with a spring snowpack. For the month of April, 7.53 inches of liquid precipitation were recorded on the Mount Washington summit, and more than half of that fell within the last few days, much of it as rain. Rain percolates through the snowpack, contributes to melting snow and in some places forms streams of running water under the snow, creating voids at the ground level. The Lip is well known for this. Water runs under the snowpack above the lip and creates a waterfall at the steepest spot, which then drills down into the snow below. This forms a deep hole large enough for a human to fall into, which has resulted in fatal accidents in the past. With the heavy rain at the end of last week, the hole will be wider, deeper and should be avoided. For skiers descending The Lip, this waterfall hole is hard to see from above. Keep to skiers left to avoid this hazard.

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The many holes and cracks in the snowpack that grew with recent rain and warm temperatures may have become thinly bridged over by new snow. Avoid south and southeast facing aspects as well as areas adjacent to frozen waterfalls, such as the Lip/Headwall area to reduce your exposure to falling in. 

The typical spring hazards emerged in recent weeks and should factor into your travel plans.

• Icefall and rockfall: Over the years many people have been severely injured or killed by falling ice in Tuckerman. The most hazardous locations are in the center and right side of Tuckerman 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.
• Glide cracks and waterfall holes: As the snowpack gradually gives way to gravity and creeps downhill, it pulls away from cliffs and leaves gaps. These gaps are the horizontal cracks that will soon appear in the steep terrain, most noticeably in the Lip and Sluice. These gaps can be deep enough to cause fatal injuries, especially around the main waterfall. 
• Undermined snow: Meltwater flowing under the snowpack melts away the snow above, creating thin bridges of snow that can collapse. These are beginning to 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. Breaking through weak snow into one of the larger water courses could be fatal if you become trapped.
• Long, sliding falls: Part of what makes spring skiing so great is the melt/freeze cycle that creates stable, firm corn snow. The cycle begins when the snowpack freezes at night or in the afternoon shade on cooler days. This refreeze creates a hard surface on which it is nearly impossible to arrest a fall with skis or an ice axe. Refrozen snow can cause trouble for those looking to get “just one more run” at the end of the day.

Regulations on Federal public lands supersede state mandates regarding protection from the coronavirus and it’s variants. These regulations require the use of a face mask when social distancing is not possible. Please plan to wear a mask in busy areas like the deck and courtyard at Hermit Lake and the floor of Tuckerman Ravine on a busy day.

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. 

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.