USDA Forest Service Places a Closure Order for Tuckerman, Huntington and Gulf of Slides

Campton, NH. April 2, 2020 — The USDA Forest Service has announced an official closure order for Tuckerman and Huntington Ravine as well as for the Gulf of Slides, Appalachian Mountain Club Visitors Center grounds, parking lots, and facilities at Pinkham Notch. This closure is in addition to the annual closure of the Tuckerman Ravine Trail above Lunch Rocks, which will remain in place until the snow melts.

“This decision was not made lightly,” said White Mountain National Forest Deputy Forest Supervisor Diane Taliaferro. “We are committed to the health and safety of our visitors, staff and volunteer groups who offer their time to help search and rescue efforts. These actions were taken based on the best available medical advice to limit gatherings of large numbers of people and to promote social distancing.”

High risk activities such as skiing or climbing in complex avalanche terrain with extreme weather conditions creates an unnecessary risk. Rescue efforts create the opportunity to further spread the virus through close contact among patients and rescuers. Therefore, the Mount Washington Avalanche Center (MWAC) has suspended avalanche forecasting. The increased risk for recreating during this time is self-assumed.

The MWAC is a partnership between the White Mountain National Forest, White Mountain Avalanche Education Foundation, Friends of Tuckerman Ravine and other community organizations. The Forest has coordinated with local communities, groups along with State and Local Government officials during this decision process.

As the Forest Service works through an unpredictable and rapidly changing situation, health and safety are the number one priority. The Forest is committed to the continuity of our mission, as well as continuing to support local communities, while doing its part to minimize the impacts and spread of COVID-19. These actions have been taken based on the best available medical advice per Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines and to promote social distancing.

For more information, please visit www.fs.usda.gov/whitemountain

2 thoughts on “USDA Forest Service Places a Closure Order for Tuckerman, Huntington and Gulf of Slides

  • April 11, 2020 at 1:48 pm
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    Love the outdoors? Love interacting with people? Help protect the Forest s black bear population by educating visitors about proper food storage when camping and hiking.

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  • April 19, 2020 at 3:59 am
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    At this time, the need to reduce exposure of workers and forest visitors to the novel coronavirus outweighs the value of providing avalanche safety information to backcountry travelers. The decision to stop forecasts was made in order to better provide for public health and safety by reducing interactions between the recreating public, USFS employees and volunteers. NH Governor’s Order Section 18 of Executive Order 2020-04, part 4 requests that the public limit non-essential travel and further defines essential businesses and activities. Among the allowed activities are “leaving home for outdoor recreation” or “to get fresh air and exercise” provided that appropriate social distancing protocols are observed. The unavoidable travel and social congregation that occur in Tuckerman Ravine, Gulf of Slides, nearby hiking trails, and parking areas suggest that more aggressive measures are needed in order to comply with state and federal guidelines intended to reduce the spread and impact of coronavirus. There is an official closure order now in place for an expanded area which includes all of Tuckerman and Huntington Ravine as well as the Gulf of Slides, Appalachian Mountain Club Visitors Center grounds, parking lots and facilities at Pinkham Notch.  These areas are now closed to the public for all use including hiking, skiing and riding, or climbing. This larger closure is in addition to the annual closure of the Tuckerman Ravine Trail above Lunch Rocks.

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