Avalanche Advisory for December 26, 2014
Tuckerman and Huntington Ravines have LOW avalanche danger. Natural and human triggered avalanches are unlikely except in isolated terrain features.
SNOWPACK: Well, the snow geek party is over for those inclined towards snow structure and crystal study. As the rain drains through the snowpack and and recent heat dissipates, the interesting layers (in 52.5″ total snowfall) from this month will be more or less pinned down by solid bonds leaving us an isothermal snowpack to start the new year. In the meantime, as winds lay down, enjoy the firm snow on the steep approach to climbs, but for goodness sake, don’t trip. The current icy snow surface will lend itself more to skeleton or luge racing than arresting a fall with an axe. Packed trails will demand micro-spikes and maybe a trekking pole or two but don’t forget that crampons are much more secure, both on your boot and on the ice, and may be needed on your chosen objective. Rain water and snow melt will most likely continue to flow in deeper channels of steep gullies so beware of increasing hydraulic pressure behind ice dams. On days like today, it is not unusual to see bloody paw prints on the trail so consider your dog’s pads when hiking on the chopped up, icy surface.
Please Remember:
- Safe travel in avalanche terrain requires training and experience. This advisory 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.
- Anticipate a changing avalanche danger when actual weather differs from the higher summits forecast.
- For more information contact the Forest Service Snow Rangers, the AMC at the Pinkham Notch Visitor Center, or the caretakers at Hermit Lake Shelters or the Harvard Cabin.
- Posted 8:30 a.m. December 26, 2014. A new advisory will be issued tomorrow.
Chris Joosen/Frank Carus, Snow Rangers
USDA Forest Service
White Mountain National Forest
(603) 466-2713 TTY (603) 466-2856