8:01 a.m., Sunday, May 19, 2002

   WE ARE NOW POSTING BULLETINS ON AN AS NEEDED BASIS AS CONDITIONS
   CHANGE SO YOU MAY NOT SEE A NEW BULLETIN EVERY DAY. WE ARE THROUGH
   FORECASTING FOR HUNTINGTON RAVINE FOR THE SEASON. YOU WILL NEED DO
   YOUR OWN STABILITY ASSESSMENT WHEN ENTERING THIS AREA. THERE WILL BE A
   DANGER OF FALLING ICE FOR THE REST OF THE SPRING.

   TUCKERMAN RAVINE HAS MODERATE AVALANCHE DANGER. Natural avalanches are
   unlikley and human triggered avalanches are possible on steep snow
   covered open slopes and gullies. Unstable slabs are possible on steep
   terrain. Use caution in steeper terrain.

   As of midnight the summit
   received 6.6 inches (16.75 cm) of 9% density snow which began with
   light winds from the N Saturday morning. Winds picked up slowly
   through the day and shifted to the NW and the WNW. By 11 pm winds were
   peaking around 55-60 mph. Since then winds have diminished and are
   currently in the low to mid 40's. The point of all this is loading
   occured all evening and will continue through the day due to the
   forecasted winds and expected light snow. SO EXPECT AN INCREASING
   AVALANCHE DANGER TODAY. It is best to ski where others have already
   skied as this helps to stabilize the slope. Watch for untracked snow
   above you and move to the side as anyone skies untracked snow above.

   THE LIP IS CLOSED TO ALL USE DUE TO CREVASSES AND UNDERMINED SNOW. THE
   TUCKERMAN RAVINE TRAIL THRU THE RAVINE (FROM LUNCH ROCKS TO THE JCT.
   WITH THE ALPINE GARDEN TRAIL) IS CLOSED TO ALL USE BECAUSE OF
   CREVASSES and UNDERMINED SNOW. ANY FALL ON THIS SECTION WILL LIKELY
   END IN ROCKS OR IN A CREVASSE. Lion Head Summer trail is an alternate
   route, but it may have an avalanche hazard. Be aware of this and make
   a snow stability assesment before using this area.

   BE AWARE OF FALLING ICE! Each year over 1000 tons of ice forms on the
   Headwall in Tuckerman Ravine and the gullies of Huntington Ravine. In
   the spring it all comes down, often in pieces larger than cars. Many
   folks have been injured and even killed by falling ice. Pay attention
   to where you are, do not linger under ice. Have a plan in mind about
   what you will do if ice comes down. Station yourself near a large rock
   to duck behind in the event of ice fall. BE ICE SMART!

   Expect more undermined snow as we get into late spring. As water
   running underneath the snowpack continues to create open spaces the
   potential for collapasing will increase. Hopefully you won't be on the
   snow when it happens.

   THE LION HEAD SUMMER TRAIL IS OPEN. Realize the summer trail still has
   large steep snow traverses. A fall here may see you going over a cliff
   band so you will need crampons and an ice axe to travel safely in this
   area. These snowfields may also be an excellent sliding surface for
   avalanche activity for all the new snow we have been receiving as well
   as the chance for more snow. This is always a possibility during May
   at 5000 ft. MOUNTAINEERING BOOTS, CRAMPONS, AND AN ICE AXE ARE NEEDED!

   THE JOHN SHERBURNE SKI TRAIL IS NOW CLOSED TO ALL USE. TO PREVENT
   EROSION TO THE SKI TRAIL PLEASE USE THE TUCKERMAN RAVINE TRAIL FOR
   HIKING BOTH UP AND DOWN FROM PINKHAM NOTCH. There is no skiing or
   riding allowed on the Tuckerman ravine trail.

   PLEASE REMEMBER:

   o Any new precipitation may increase the avalanche danger, this
   includes wind transported snow.

   o Obtain latest weather forecast before starting out.

   o For more information, contact the U.S. Forest Service Snow Rangers:
   AMC at Pinkham Notch Visitor Center or Hermit Lake Shelters.

   o This bulletin will be updated on an as needed basis as conditions
   change.

   Christopher Joosen, Snow Ranger
   USDA Forest Service
   White Mountain National Forest