Avalanche Danger
Descriptors
Below is a table describing the different avalanche hazard levels posted by the national forest. The snow rangers on Mount Washington are very good at what they do and post the hazard condition just as they see it. They don't attempt to post a deliberately conservative hazard rating in an attempt to keep climbers out of avalanche terrain. If their forecast is off it could just as well be in the opposite direction and conditions could actually be worse than forecast. Remember that low hazard doesn't mean no hazard and that even in extreme hazard conditions there's always someplace you can safely travel in the mountains.
|
Danger
level and color
|
Avalanche
Probability and Avalanche Trigger
|
Degree
and Distribution of Avalanche Danger
|
Recommended
Action in the Backcountry
|
|
...What
|
...Why
|
...Where
|
...What
to Do
|
|
LOW Green |
Natural avalanches very unlikely. Human triggered avalanches unlikely. | Generally stable snow. Isolated areas of instability. | Travel is generally safe. Normal caution is advised. |
|
MODERATE Yellow |
Natural avalanches unlikely. Human triggered avalanches possible. | Unstable slabs possible on steep slopes. | Use caution in steeper terrain on certain aspects |
|
CONSIDERABLE Orange |
Natural avalanches possible. Human triggered avalanches probable. | Unstable slabs probable on steep terrain. | Be increasingly cautious in steeper terrain. |
|
HIGH Red |
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely. | Unstable slabs likely on a variety of aspects and slope angles. | Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended. Safest travel on windward ridges of lower angle slopes without steeper terrain above. |
|
EXTREME Red w/ Black Trim |
Widespread natural or human triggered avalanches certain. | Extremely unstable slabs certain on most aspects and slope angles. Large destructive avalanches possible. | Travel in avalanche terrain should be avoided and travel confined to low angle terrain well away from avalanche path run-outs. |
Avalanche hazards are posted on boards similar to this at Pinkham Notch, by the Harvard Cabin on the way into Huntington Ravine, and at the entrance to Tuckerman Ravine at Hermit Lake.