Tuckerman Ravine

In Tuckerman Ravine observed generally stable avalanche conditions. New snow from Wednesday, 4/24, was seen covering the ravine. More snow was visible higher in terrain or in areas sheltered underneath rocks. As the freezing line was near and in ravines, some of that snow likely fell as rain. On 4/24 MWOBS at the summit recorded  3.7 inches of snow and 0.40 inches of snow was recorded at Hermit Lake.

Higher in the snowfields, 3-4 inches of new snow was found there. In talking with other skiers, this snow has been settling and did not display slab characteristics. While it was warming due to some solar gain, consistent winds limited solar effect. This snow was a mix of soft and frozen and skiers found variable skiing conditions. Looking ahead to tomorrow this could become more of a wet loose problem as more sun and warmer temperatures will work to destructure the new snow. This is also on top of a firm snow surface that will help to promote this snow sliding. 

Overall loud turns were audible in northeast and eastern aspects in the ravine. The winds limited some of the effect of solar gain and the shadows that are cast on northern and eastern aspects worked to refreeze those surfaces quickly. Solar aspects that were wind sheltered fared better as snow surfaces softened more readily in those aspects. The softening was mostly limited to the top inch of snow and is why wet loose should be on your radar tomorrow as warmer temperatures in ravines may work to destructure the surface snow more effectively. 

Mountaineering equipment should still be considered essential equipment for all steep skiing. While some established bootpacks exist, skiers or snowboarders occasionally ski into parts of it and effectively erase the bootpack. Underneath the surface snow there is a firm snow surface and having crampons and the skills to use them will greatly help all travel.