Early Season Avalanche Shakes Up Tuckerman Ravine

The stoke for the new season is high, but the recent incident in Tuckerman Ravine, New Hampshire, on Thursday, November 6th, is a stark reminder that the mountain always calls the shots. Early season snow can be volatile, and a group of four experienced skiers found this out the hard way when a natural avalanche released and sent one of them for an unexpected ride.

The party was out assessing conditions, a crucial step in early-season preparation, but even the most diligent preparation can’t tame an unstable snowpack. While traversing into the zone between "The Chute" and "Chute South," a loose-snow avalanche released naturally above them.

This wasn’t a small sluff. The slide funneled down, striking the lead skier. The force was enough to carry him about 30 meters (100 feet) downslope. For the rest of the crew, it was certainly a breathless moment, watching the chaotic event unfold. Another member even had a ski swept away.

Fortunately, the Mount Washington Avalanche Center (MWAC) reported that no one in the party was injured or suffered any substantial gear damage. However, this incident serves as a serious wake-up call for anyone hitting the backcountry this November.

The MWAC noted that there was "significant and active snow transport from wind" and observed "cracking and collapsing" in the convex terrain. This is vital information. It means that despite the early date, wind-loading created isolated pockets of high instability, turning a seemingly low-hazard day into a high-consequence event. Furthermore, the resulting debris measured over 3 meters deep in parts of the run-out zone. That kind of force and volume is life-threatening.

For all winter adventurers remember that the thrill of the steep line comes with an immense responsibility.

First and foremost, heed the warnings. The conditions that triggered this avalanche, wind-loading, cracking, and collapsing, are clear red flags. These observations must be taken seriously, even when the overall coverage looks thin.

Secondly, respect the early season. The focus and line-scoping on the boot pack are just as critical as the turns themselves. The stability of the snowpack is always the number one factor. This incident in Tuckerman Ravine proves that Mother Nature is already testing the pack.

Gear up, educate yourself, and always check your local avalanche center report. Stay vigilant, stay safe, and be prepared for the unexpected when you venture out into those tempting, early-season lines.

Check out the full report at Mount Washington Avalanche Center.