RR
02-26-2010, 11:16 AM
Wow.. !
Today's posting:
Avalanche Advisory for Tuckerman and Huntington Ravines
Posted: 8:43 a.m., Friday, February 26, 2010
Tuckerman and Huntington Ravines have HIGH avalanche danger today. Natural and human triggered avalanches are likely. Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended. The only exception to this rating is the Little Headwall in Tuckerman which has MODERATE avalanche danger. Natural avalanches are unlikely and human triggered avalanches are possible. Use caution in steep terrain.
Well there's no reason to focus on a lot of details today because 32" in the past 48 hours is almost the only information we need! Hermit Lake received about 21" (53cm) since Thursday morning most of which falling during the overnight. Intense spiking of easterly wind gusts generated a peak velocity on the summit of 135mph (217kph). These gusts at times exceeded the sustained winds by about 40mph which is fairly unusual. If I was writing this 6-8 hours ago the Extreme slats may have come out as a large avalanche cycle has unboutedly occurred under the darkness of night. This large snow accumulation and high prolonged east winds is an atypical event for the Ravines. So remember unusual weather creates unusual avalanches! I would expect that intense cross loading occurred in gullies with aspects running in either a northerly or southerly direction due to the east winds. This is particularly true in terrain with steep walls or features.
IN SHORT, FOCUS ON THE BULLS-EYE DATA TODAY: (#1) 32 INCHES (82CM) IN 48 HOURS (#2) 21 INCHES (53CM) IN LAST 24 HOURS MELTING TO 3.2" (8.15CM) (#3) LAST 24 HOUR SNOWFALL AVERAGING 19% (#4) SUSTAINED EAST WINDS AT 100MPH (160KPH) MAX 135MPH (217KPH) (#5) MORE SNOW TODAY (+/- 6")
I'D SAY HIT THE SAUNA OR HOT TUB AND RELAX
Snow is anticipated to continue into the weekend which should keep an elevated avalanche danger for the Ravines. It will definitely be a red flag, heads up, weekend. Be sure to visit tuckerman.org later today for our "Weekend Updater" for any updates. The Lion Head Winter Route is open. It is a steep route and an ice axe and crampons are recommended for safe travel. The John Sherburne Ski Trail is much happier with new snow but I pitty the brave souls who will break it out due to deep accumulation and low angles. It will get better with use.
Today's posting:
Avalanche Advisory for Tuckerman and Huntington Ravines
Posted: 8:43 a.m., Friday, February 26, 2010
Tuckerman and Huntington Ravines have HIGH avalanche danger today. Natural and human triggered avalanches are likely. Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended. The only exception to this rating is the Little Headwall in Tuckerman which has MODERATE avalanche danger. Natural avalanches are unlikely and human triggered avalanches are possible. Use caution in steep terrain.
Well there's no reason to focus on a lot of details today because 32" in the past 48 hours is almost the only information we need! Hermit Lake received about 21" (53cm) since Thursday morning most of which falling during the overnight. Intense spiking of easterly wind gusts generated a peak velocity on the summit of 135mph (217kph). These gusts at times exceeded the sustained winds by about 40mph which is fairly unusual. If I was writing this 6-8 hours ago the Extreme slats may have come out as a large avalanche cycle has unboutedly occurred under the darkness of night. This large snow accumulation and high prolonged east winds is an atypical event for the Ravines. So remember unusual weather creates unusual avalanches! I would expect that intense cross loading occurred in gullies with aspects running in either a northerly or southerly direction due to the east winds. This is particularly true in terrain with steep walls or features.
IN SHORT, FOCUS ON THE BULLS-EYE DATA TODAY: (#1) 32 INCHES (82CM) IN 48 HOURS (#2) 21 INCHES (53CM) IN LAST 24 HOURS MELTING TO 3.2" (8.15CM) (#3) LAST 24 HOUR SNOWFALL AVERAGING 19% (#4) SUSTAINED EAST WINDS AT 100MPH (160KPH) MAX 135MPH (217KPH) (#5) MORE SNOW TODAY (+/- 6")
I'D SAY HIT THE SAUNA OR HOT TUB AND RELAX
Snow is anticipated to continue into the weekend which should keep an elevated avalanche danger for the Ravines. It will definitely be a red flag, heads up, weekend. Be sure to visit tuckerman.org later today for our "Weekend Updater" for any updates. The Lion Head Winter Route is open. It is a steep route and an ice axe and crampons are recommended for safe travel. The John Sherburne Ski Trail is much happier with new snow but I pitty the brave souls who will break it out due to deep accumulation and low angles. It will get better with use.