Snow that fell on the Presidential Range earlier this week has now seen warmth and rain, bringing the return of an isothermal, springtime snowpack. Those looking to recreate on snow this weekend should review objective hazards that come with playing in big mountains. A thorough examination of these will help narrow down your focus and likely point your group toward a reasonably safe target. Open holes and undermined snow are widespread to various depths and will need to avoided on just about every slope. Icefall and rockfall are always possible and best dealt with by crossing quickly through the line of fire or avoiding slopes that have obvious chunks of ice that look like the leaning tower of Pisa. Any sort of fall in steep terrain can have consequences; bring the appropriate tools(ice axe, crampons, helmet) for your objective and don’t be afraid to use them even though others may not.
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This website is provided through a partnership between the White Mountain National Forest and the White Mountain Avalanche Education Foundation. The avalanche forecast applies only to backcountry areas, not operating ski areas, and describes general avalanche conditions which vary locally. The avalanche information provided is the sole responsibility of the USDA Forest Service.
Close call: Fall into deep waterfall hole
/in Accident Summary, News /by Ryan MatzAs winter turns rapidly to spring, a number of hazards become prevalent in the steep terrain of the Presidential Range and particularly the Headwall of Tuckerman Ravine. Waterfall holes, glide cracks or crevasses, moats around cliffs and rocks, and other deep holes open as the thick snowpack melts. A fall into these holes, which often […]
Missing Person on Mount Washington
/in News /by Frank CarusUSFS Snow Rangers are helping the New Hampshire Fish and Game in the search for Porith Stephon Sou. He has been reported missing since March 8, 2019 when he left Dracut, MA. He is described as an 21 year old Asian male, thin build, 5’ 2” in height. His vehicle was located at the AMC Pinkham […]