kasym said:
how is the boott spur trail avalanche wise when the danger is high in Tucks?
Avalanche danger is spatially variable, but I would personally consider the Tuckerman rating as a baseline for Boott Spur. Remember that Boott Spur divides Tuckerman Ravine from the Gulf of Slides, both of which are definitely avalanche-prone. While ridges
tend to offer safer routes than bowls, slides, and headwalls, avalanche danger cannot be ruled out. Note that even though the ridge is not particularly knife-edged, I have seen significant cornice development in places on the lee side. Travel on top of or under these cornices may be unwise.
Still, the Boott Spur ridge is relatively windswept and generally avoids slopes of sufficient steepness to slide. I have seen the above-treeline portions snowfree while the sides are still deep; on the other hand, in mid-December, I have stepped to the side of the trail (to examine balsam cones) and fallen in over my head.
Remember that any snowfield big enough to recreate on is big enough to slide. Also remember that winter survival factors other than avalanches (weather, ice, slides for life) may also come into play.
What's your projected route plan? Up Boott and back down what?
Todd
edit to add just to be sure: Watch the
avalanche forecast!!! It's a moderate today -- "Natural avalanches are unlikely and human triggered avalanches are possible. Unstable slabs are possible." -- which could result in a red light for me, depending on my experience and equipment -- but the current storm forecast is for increasing snow density which will increase short-term instability. Depending on how much it snows tonight and how the winds blow, I'd be prepared for "dramatic loading of both ravines". Note too that, "Until then the main concern with any new snow loading in later today is the hard icy surface in many areas. Expect the bonding at the old-new interface to be less than ideal. Due to variable conditions do frequent stability tests and don't be happy with one set of results."
