PINKHAM NOTCH, N.H. – Hoping to head off injuries or death for skiers and snowboarders in Tuckerman’s Ravine, rangers are stressing the dangers.

The transformation from winter into summer at Mount Washington’s popular spring skiing destination is happening rapidly this year, stated White Mountain National Forest spokeswoman Pat Nasta in a press release.

That transformation includes melting and cracking snowpack, falling ice chunks as large as houses, and hidden waterfalls that create special hazards for winter recreationists and spectators.

Snow Ranger Brian Johnston said in Monday’s advisory that the main waterfall at the junction of the Lip and Headwall in Tuckerman’s Ravine has opened a large hole in the snowpack. A crevasse extends from the hole across most of the Lip.

“These voids are rapidly growing in size, and it would be wise to stay well away from this hazardous area,” Johnston said.

Most areas across the top of these spots, he said, are “no-fall skiing,” meaning that a fall there would put the skier in serious jeopardy.

“We are seeing new hazards appear regularly, and lots of moving water continues to undermine the snow,” he added.

Nasta said crevasses, which open as snowmelt begins, can be up to 80 feet deep.

Another concern is ice fall.

“Over 1,000 tons of ice form in Tuckerman Ravine each winter, and it all comes down in the spring, often in pieces larger than cars. Enormous ice fall has occurred over the past few days,” she said.

Remaining ice is cracked and weak, with large sheets hanging ominously around the rim, defying the laws of gravity.

Even Lunch Rocks – the historically popular spot to sit and watch Tuckerman skiers – is “quite vulnerable to falling ice,” Nasta said.

For more information, visit www.tuckerman.org, or contact the Forest Service at 603-466-2713.

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