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Everywhere is walking distance if you have the time.
Stephen Wright |
An avalanche is a very real winter hazard, especially in steeper ravines. Everyone in your group should have a good knowledge of avalanche safety. Forest service snow rangers post avalanche warnings for Tuckerman and Huntington Ravines only. Warnings are posted at Pinkham Notch Visitor Center and Tuckerman Ravine; are available by telephone from 603-466-2713 ext. 4 or 603-466-2721 ext. 774, or online at mountwashingtonavalanchecenter.org/ or MountWashington.org. Education and training are critical, so each member of your group should take an avalanche safety course. Steep slopes with unstable deep snow hold the deadly risk of avalanche. Here is some avalanche information all mountain adventurers need to know:
Heed the warnings—they could save your life. The Avalanche Danger Scale The guidelines before describing avalanche probability should be used with your judgement, experience and local knowledge.
Avalanche Safety Basics Remember that avalanche danger rating levels are only general guidelines. Most avalanche accidents are caused by slab avalanches which are triggered by the victim or a member of the victim's party. However, any avalanche may cause injury or death and even small slides may be dangerous. Always practice safe route-finding skills and be aware of changing conditions. Learn how to use, and always carry, avalanche beacons, probles and shovels. You must be able to carry out a self-rescue in the event of a burial as time is critical. If you must go for help, it is generally considered too late. Learn to recognize avalanche terrain and understand snow stability evaluation techniques to help minimize your risk. No matter what the current avalanche danger there are avalanche safe areas in the mountains. Seek out the information needed to locate these areas and make informed decisions.
Avalanches and ice fallsAn avalanche is a very real winter hazard, especially in steeper ravines. Everyone in your group should have a good knowledge of avalanche safety. Forest service snow rangers post avalanche warnings for Tuckerman and Huntington Ravines only. Warnings are posted at Pinkham Notch Visitor Center and Tuckerman Ravine; are available by telephone from 603-466-2713 ext. 4 or 603-466-2721 ext. 774, or online at mountwashingtonavalanchecenter.org/ or MountWashington.org. Education and training are critical, so each member of your group should take an avalanche safety course.Steep slopes with unstable deep snow hold the deadly risk of avalanche. Here is some avalanche information all mountain adventurers need to know: • Check avalanche advisories (located at the Tuckerman Ravine Trailhead, Hermit Lake Shelters, Harvard Cabin, the Pinkham Notch Visitor Center and the Androscoggin Ranger District Office). • When in doubt, ask questions or don't go. • Most avalanches occur during or immediately after a snowstorm. • Never travel alone. Carry and know how to use avalanche rescue beacons, probes and shovels when your party is in avalanche terrain. • Avoid steep, open areas of snow. • Unstable snow conditions can persist for several days after a storm. Heed the warnings—they could save your life. The Avalanche Danger Scale The guidelines before describing avalanche probability should be used with your judgement, experience and local knowledge. • Low (green): Natural avalanches unlikely. Human trigger avalanches unlikely. Travel is generally safe. Normal caution advised. • Moderate (yellow): Natural avalanches unlikely. Human triggered avalanches possible. Use caution in steeper terrain on certain aspects. • Considerable (orange): Nautral avalanches possible. Human triggered avalanches probable. Be increasingly cautious in steeper terrain. • High (red): Natural and human triggered avalanches likely. Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended. • Extreme (red with black border): Widespread natural or human triggered avalanches certain. Avoid travel in avalanche terrain. Confine travel to low angle terrain well away from avalanche path run-outs. Avalanche Safety Basics Remember that avalanche danger rating levels are only general guidelines. Most avalanche accidents are caused by slab avalanches which are triggered by the victim or a member of the victim's party. However, any avalanche may cause injury or death and even small slides may be dangerous. Always practice safe route-finding skills and be aware of changing conditions. Learn how to use, and always carry, avalanche beacons, probles and shovels. You must be able to carry out a self-rescue in the event of a burial as time is critical. If you must go for help, it is generally considered too late. Learn to recognize avalanche terrain and understand snow stability evaluation techniques to help minimize your risk. No matter what the current avalanche danger there are avalanche safe areas in the mountains. Seek out the information needed to locate these areas and make informed decisions. • Snow instability is greatest during and immediately following a precipitation event, which includes new snow, wind-deposited snow and rain. • Avalanches are most likely on slopes of 25-50 degrees with 35-45 degrees being more frequent. • Avalanches don't happen by accident and most human involvement is a matter of choice, not chance. |
Avalanches and ice falls
