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Show No. 64- 9 MT. WASHINGTON, NEW HAMPSHIRE ( HUNTINGTON RAVINE) 4 April 1964 WEATHER FACTORS Storm conditions existed in the area for a few days preceding the accident. On Friday, 3 April, there was a northwest wind at 33 m. p. h., temperature ranging between 4 and 16 degrees above zero, with ten inches of new snow. On Saturday, 4 April, storm conditions became more severe. Wind increased, 60 to 92 m. p. h. northwest, changing to north, temperature fell, ranging from 0 degrees to 11 degrees below zero, with 6 inches of new snow, and heavy fog. Visibility on the summit of Mt. Washington was zero, and below the summit limited to less than 50 feet. Avalanche danger was extremely high in the entire Presidential Range. Numerous slides occurred throughout the area. ACCIDENT SUMMARY ,0n Saturday morning, 4 April, 1964, two climbers, J. G. and H. S. departed for Tuckerman Ravine. Learning that the Forest Service had closed the Bowl due to high avalanche danger, they proceeded to Huntington Ravine, about one and a half miles north of Tuckerman. Both men had previous alpine climbing experience and H. S. was rated as an expert mountain climber. Upon reaching the floor of Huntington Ravine they met two other cl imbers and informed them of their plan to climb Odel1 Gully. The men actually climbed Central Gully, indicating that they were unfamiliar with the area. They were last seen alive heading toward the upper slopes of the Ravine. There were no eye witnesses to the accident. From evidence of tracks and climbing gear it is believed that the climbers reached the upper ice field in Central Gully and then proceeded to rappel down. It is assumed that about this time, around 2: 00 p. m., they triggered an avalanche which carried them across a snow field and through the rocks below to the Ravine Floor. RESCUE At 12: 30 p. m. on Sunday, 5 April, the District Ranger was notified by the Appalachian Mountain Club that the two climbers were missing. A search party was immediately organized under the direction of R. G., District Ranger at Androscoggin. By 3: 00 p. m. the party was in Huntington Ravine and began a hasty search of the area. Blood was found at several places in the slide path. A hat, a white climbing rope and a broken lens from sun goggles were also discovered. About 5: 00 p. m. one member of the search party fell and slid into some rocks on the upper slopes of the Ravine. In was necessary to take him back to the base camp before dark. As avalanche danger in the area was still high, and since the victims by this time had been buried for a period of 26 hours or more, it was decided to discontinue the. search until the next morning. On Sunday night a large search party was organized consisting of Forest Service employees, members of the Appalachian Mountain Club, New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, and the Mt. Washington Ski Patrol. At 6- 00 a. m., Monday, 6 April, equipment and search party proceeded to Huntington Ravine. 110 |