Squam Speaker Series: Snow Rangers and Avalanche Awareness on Feb. 7

Published Date

HOLDERNESS — The Squam Lakes Association (SLA) quam Speaker Series continues with ''Snow Rangers and Avalanche Awareness'' on Thursday, February, 7 at 7 p.m.
Guest speaker Justin Preisendorfer, a Holderness resident and former Snow Ranger in Tuckerman's Ravine, will present his experiences working with the United States Forest Service. Justin spent over nine years as an Avalanche Forecaster and Search and Rescue Leader on Mt. Washington, which is the oldest avalanche forecasting center in the country. Justin is currently a Recreation Specialist with the Pemigewasset Ranger District.
According to the U.S. Forest Service's Mount Washington Avalanche website, each year an average of 25 people are injured while climbing, skiing and mountaineering on Mount Washington, requiring some type of assistance from rescue groups such as the Mount Washington Volunteer Ski Patrol and the US Forest Service.
Just weeks ago, an avalanche in Huntington Ravine occurred while a group of 12 was ascending Central Gully. The avalanche swept over much of the group, carrying three to the bottom of the gully. This team was not buried, but did sustained injuries. The remaining three teams were able to rappel to safety and were evacuated from the Huntington Ravine.
In an attempt to prevent future injuries, the Mount Washington Avalanche Center posts daily avalanche advisories and incident summaries throughout avalanche season for Tuckerman and Huntington Ravines, this information can be accessed online at www.mountwashingtonavalanchecenter.org.
The  talk will begin at 7 p.m. at the SLA's Resource Center, 534 Route 3, Holderness. All programs in this series are free and open to the public.
For more information call 968-7336 or visit www.squamlakes.org.