Avalanche Rolls Down New Hampshire’s Tuckerman Ravine

[Credit: Instagram/lddier via Storyful]

Video has emerged showing skiers triggering an avalanche on the eastern slopes of Mount Washington in New Hampshire last week on April 2. The video filmed at the Hermit Lake Shelter shows the avalanche rolling down Tuckerman Ravine after two skiers on a slope, known as “The Duchess,” started the slide.

Two skiers triggered an avalanche. All ascent routes to the top of Mount Washington were at considerable risk of avalanche or technical beyond our experience. No getting to the top on this trip. #mtwashington #TuckermanRavine #Avalanche #WhiteMountains #NH

A post shared by L.D.Dier (@lddier) on Apr 3, 2017 at 1:58am PDT

[Credit: Instagram/lddier via Storyful]

Due to the distance away from the slope and quality of the camera, it is tough to see the skiers on the slope before the avalanche starts. The Mount Washington Avalanche Center said that avalanche conditions often change radically from day to day, as low avalanche danger does not mean “no” avalanche danger.

Some of the best learning opportunities are unplanned. About 50 people on the deck at Hermit Lake watched 2 skiers climb Hillman's and move to The Duchess. Many people were on the fence about their plans for the day and considering "just going for a look." Many did not have avalanche rescue gear. As the skiers moved into the first few turns in The Duchess, they triggered a slab that proceeded to nearly clean out the entire slope as it ran down the length of the gully and through the Lower Snowfields. Thankfully, the skiers did not get caught. Watching an avalanche in action helped many of the people on the deck decide that maybe today wasn't the day. We can talk all day and try to teach as much as we can, but there is nothing more effective than watching the powder cloud rip down the mountain. #getthegear #knowbeforeyougo #redflag #whoa

A post shared by Mt Washington Avalanche Center (@mwacenter) on Apr 2, 2017 at 9:18am PDT

The center published a statement about the incident on its own Instagram account with a warning that back country skiers should always carry avalanche rescue gear.

The latest advisory from the Mount Washington Avalanche Center says there is still considerable danger in the area today. It says “The warming snowpack will make loose-wet and wet slab the avalanche problems today. This hazard will increase as the day progresses and temperatures continue to rise.”

Temps will sky rocket this morning creating heavy mashed potato skiing, at best. Wind slabs will become unstable as they warm. Wet slab avalanches on sunny slopes may become likely! #moderateisnotthenewlow #nocornyet #warmdaysandcoldnightsneeded #sloppysnow #lowerleginjuries #sherburnetrailisbetter

A post shared by Mt Washington Avalanche Center (@mwacenter) on Apr 9, 2017 at 2:32am PDT

For WeatherNation: Meteorologist Mace Michaels