Entries by Frank Carus

Long fall in Tuckerman Ravine

March 23, 2021 in , /by

Events: On Sunday, March 21, multiple skier falls occurred in Tuckerman Ravine as skiers tested themselves in this  extremely steep terrain. Snow conditions varied that day between boot-top deep soft, wet corn snow with firm crust in the shade or where swept off by skiers and riders. While on patrol, a snow ranger offered some […]

Long sliding fall in microspikes

March 15, 2021 in , /by

Events: On Sunday March 14th, at approximately 5:15pm, a hiker took a long sliding fall while descending a steep section of the Lion Head Winter Route. The group of three were wearing lightweight hiking boots with microspikes and carried ice axes. A local guide and paramedic/ER nurse was descending with clients, using a handline placed […]

Long sliding fall – Tuckerman Ravine

February 20, 2021 in /by

A 62 year old Brookline, MA man was reported missing to USFS personnel at 11pm Saturday night, Feb 20, 2021, when he failed to return from a summit hike via Boott Spur or one of the Lion Head Trails. Temperatures on the summit were -6F with northwest winds 35-50 mph when the subject was found.  […]

Disoriented in whiteout conditions – Lion Head and Alpine Garden trails

January 18, 2021 in , /by

Saturday, January 16. With a significant snow storm impacting the area creating dangerous conditions above treeline, MWAC received 911 calls for assistance from two separate parties lost in the Alpine Garden on Mount Washington. One group of climbers was able to find the hiking trail and orient themselves and proceed down, while the second call of a single person required assistance back to Hermit Lake.

ESAW wrap-up and Outreach Events

December 17, 2020 in , /by

It’s hard to believe that this year marked the 10th year of our annual Eastern Snow and Avalanche Workshop.  Over the years, the event has been hosted in many locations including in the basement of the Weather Discovery Center and the gym of the John Fuller Elementary School in the early days of the event, to the prestigious ballroom of the Mount Washington Hotel, and more recently at Fryeburg Academy’s Leura Hill Eastman Center for Performing Arts. This year, like all other Snow and Avalanche Workshops across the country, we adopted the virtual format. In addition to hosting some incredibly accomplished avalanche professionals from across the US and Canada, this format proved to vastly increase the accessibility of the event with a record attendance of over 450 participants. 

Help needed at the Harvard Cabin!

December 10, 2020 in , /by

Each year, between December 1 and March 31, the Harvard Mountaineering Club operates a cabin at the base of Huntington Ravine, a popular destination for backcountry skiers, ice climbers, and other winter recreationists.  The Cabin caretaker provides critical support to the Forest Service through daily snow study plot observations, as well as critical help during […]

Avalanche Center Outreach Podcast

December 2, 2020 in /by

Andrew Drummond at the Ski the Whites invited Frank Carus and Pat Scanlon from Carrabassett Valley Academy to talk about the presentations given at the 10th Annual ESAW, decision making, future events from the White Mountain Avalanche Education Foundation and Friends of Tuckerman Ravine. They also discuss what this season may look like in the […]