Tuckerman Ravine

After the rain on Monday, 3/16, and a rapid drop in temperatures and extreme winds on Tuesday, 3/17, snow surfaces across all aspects and elevations are firm, presenting hazardous slide for life conditions on steep terrain. Significant snowpack melt has exposed previously buried rocks and trees, which could amplify the consequences of a fall. We did not observe any avalanche hazards, though as previously stated, other hazards exist across the terrain.

Due to significant water working though the snowpack, many areas are undermined with exposed holes and cracks in the snow in steep terrain. While some of those may be supportable due to the firm refrozen snow, they are still worth giving a wide margin, especially those that have developed in Tuckerman Ravine near the Lip. The blowouts in Little Headwall have also grown in size.

New snow was patchy and easily identifiable as bright white. However, it was hard to find across the ravine. In some areas it seemed well attached to the hard snow surface underneath, but it is still worth assessing if you find it in steep terrain. 

Thicker ice was found in flatter terrain where water was more likely able to pool. Some runnels were visible where rain carved lines into the snow as it flowed down the snow, however in other places the snow surface is smoothed and even.

These conditions present a good opportunity to have a discussion about consequence with your group. While it is possible to ascend and descend steep, icy, and firm slopes, it may not be the most enjoyable. Consider starting with lower-angle terrain to assess your comfort in both ascending and descending. Assess the hazards that exist below you, and see if there are ways to mitigate your exposure.