Avalanche
A group of four skiers was involved in a dangerous natural-trigger avalanche in Tuckerman Ravine yesterday, Thursday, November, 6, with a detailed observation from the Mount Washington Avalanche Center (MWAC) painting a sharp picture of how rapidly steep terrain can go from manageable to hazardous. According to the MWAC observation, the party of four met at the base of “Open Book” in the ravine and then split into two groups of two: Party A headed into the Chute, while Party B moved toward Chute North variation. Party A skinned into a sheltered zone climbers-right of the Chute run-out/slide path, then attempted a traverse beneath the rock wall into the zone between Chute and Chute South.
While doing so, a loose-snow avalanche released naturally above them, went down through the funnel, and struck the lead skier of Party A, carrying him about 30 meters (100 feet) downslope. The second skier in Party A was at the edge of the slide path and had his ski taken by the avalanche. Meanwhile, the lead skier in Party B witnessed the slide as it exited the funnel and propagated roughly 100 feet laterally north to the base of the Tuckerman icefall.
Observed terrain & conditions
-
The start zone crown was reported greater than 30 cm (12 inches).
-
The run-out zone (between ~5,100 ft and ~4,700 ft) covered roughly two football fields and had been scoured down to base rock.
-
Debris measured more than 3 m deep in parts of the chute debris field.
-
The MWAC noted “significant and active snow transport from wind” and observed “cracking and collapsing in small and large convex structures” in the terrain.
-
No one in the party was injured or suffered gear damage; the group members had extensive experience skiing, climbing, guiding, and volunteering on rescues in this terrain.
Tuckerman Ravine is inherently steep, narrow, and features natural funnels that amplify avalanche hazards. Even when the general forecast might appear moderate, terrain-specific risks can still remain high. A traverse beneath a buttress or across a suspected slide path can trigger a catastrophic release. The MWAC emphasises that “low hazard” for broad terrain doesn’t eliminate isolated high-risk zones like this one.
When navigating avalanche terrain such as Tuckerman Ravine, the MWAC recommends to:
-
Treat each steep couloir or funnel independently: terrain traps exist and may not be obvious on a hazard map.
-
Avoid setting skin tracks or boot paths across or beneath known slide paths or rollover zones.
-
Carry and know how to use avalanche safety gear (beacon, shovel, probe) and travel with partners who are proficient.
-
Observe wind-transported snow: recent active transport and cracking in convex features—like what was observed—are red flags.
-
Monitor MWAC bulletins and observation logs for real-time updates; terrain may become unstable fast even in early-season conditions.
With the potential present for wind loading, unstable snow, and natural release potential, serious terrain always requires serious caution. In this case, it wasn’t a judgment error—it was the mountain doing what it does. Nature effortlessly stacking up the avalanche danger. And when you’re in its domain, you best warily adhere by its rules.
For full details of the MWAC observation, visit: mountwashingtonavalanchecenter.org
