As spring continues to rage on, skiers and snowboarders across the East Coast will continue to make their way to Mount Washington in order to ski the legendary Tuckerman Ravine. The area is an iconic proving ground for New Englanders, requiring serious stamina and skill to access and ride safely.
Tuckerman Ravine is in the backcountry though, and while the Mount Washington Volunteer Ski Patrol do work to perform rescues and keep people safe on the mountain, there are plenty of springtime backcountry hazards that can lead to injuries or worse. These hazards include icefalls and rockfalls, glide cracks, undermined snow, wet avalanches, and refrozen snow surface.
Refrozen snow surfaces occur when the regular melt/freeze cycles create a very hard, icy, and slippery surface on the run, making it incredible difficult or impossible to stop or steer during a fall. Such was the case when these two skiers fell in Tuckerman Ravine and slid at high speeds down the entire face.
The duo was apparently a couple, with the girlfriend losing her edge and sliding into her boyfriend. Fortunately neither were injured despite the intensity of the fall. Refrozen snow surfaces should be approached with specialized mountaineering equipment, including boot crampons, ski crampons, an ice ax, and potentially rope. Read more on refrozen snow surface safety below.
Mount Washington Avalanche Center Identifying and Mitigating Refrozen Snow Surfaces:
- This hazard can be identified in person by feeling and seeing the snow surface. Hard snow with little or no boot penetration and a shiny, reflective snow surface are sure signs of refrozen snow.
- Refrozen snow surfaces can be predicted by looking at temperature forecasts when checking the weather. They can also be predicted by evaluating length of sun exposure and recognizing when sunny aspects will become shaded.
- Specialized mountaineering equipment is needed to travel safely in these conditions. This gear includes, boot crampons, ice ax, ski crampons, and sometimes a rope system for added security.
- Be aware of the limitations of the mountaineering skill of “self-arresting” with an ice axe.