Tuckermans?

For the past few years, since I've gotten back into skiing, I've wanted to do Tuckerman's Ravine. I've hiked it in the summer and had a fantastic time doing it, but I'd like to do it in the spring. I was thinking of going up for Good Friday to do it. Anyone else doing it that weekend. Anyone have any pointers (aside from Be Prepared because the weather on Mt. Washington will turn on you in a second. One of my summer experiences I was woefully underprepared for the 35 degrees and 50mph winds at the top, so it was a quick summit and then back down to the sun and warmth below the treeline) or ideas on necessities or other things to bring.

Crampons necessary?
Ice axe necessary?

We were planning on bootpacking in in ski boots, skis on back.

I've never done any back/side country stuff so any advice is helpful.

Thanks

http://timefortuckerman.com/

I usually put my ski boots in my pack and hike up in hiking boots. That would be a loooonnng hike in ski boots.

THis year I will be skinning. :)

Check out the TFT forums for recent reports...

http://www.timefortuckerman.com/

I usually go a little later in the season, but I generally hike in trail sneakers with poles (when I go, I dont usually encounter snow until a little ways before HoJos). Crampons would make the hike a bit less slippery, but not necessary. If you have some Stabilicers (or similar), that would be a good compromise. The section of trail above Hojos is the steepest and most icy.

There will probably be a lot of people up there--when in Rome...

Be wary of people above you and be respectful of people below you. I cant count how many times people above me have kicked snow down or dropped gear or gapers somehow get out of the bootpack, slip, and slide down nearly taking people out below them. I thought one lady who narrowly missed me was gonna mess herself up REAL bad once--luckily she got hung up in some brush before she got to the rocks...

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Originally Posted by Bluebird

THis year I will be skinning. :)

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From what Ive heard, its too late. ?

Gulf of Slides is a nice alternative on crazy crowded Tux days.

Watch out for middle aged hippies on acid.

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Originally Posted by biggins

Gulf of Slides is a nice alternative on crazy crowded Tux days.

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Or Great Gulf...

When does the auto road open?

I was going to head up this past Saturday. Didn't however. In accumulating beta from locals, it's going fast. Little headwall is already a waterfall, so you have to boot up from Hojo's. Also a couple of guys tried to ski the lip on either Thursday or Friday and got up by Chicken Rock and the snow was so mank that they were breaking through severly and had to stop going higher.

Another guy said that the Dutchess doesn't exist and that the little alternate line at the top of Hillman's isn't there either. On the positive side, there is some snow on the Left Gully/Chute side which will last a while, but already the brush at the bottom of Left Gully is completely exposed.

My .02, if you are going to do it, do it soon.

http://www.tetongravity.com/forums/s...ad.php?t=80990

Crampons are usually not neccessary......ice axe makes things a little easier, but is not needed. Change into your ski boots at the lunch rocks or you will be dying.

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Originally Posted by danhikeski

http://www.tetongravity.com/forums/s...ad.php?t=80990

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Sorry My bad. I was influenced by your TR. I meant to say the Dutchess. Editing now...

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Originally Posted by KillWW

Crampons are usually not neccessary......ice axe makes things a little easier, but is not needed. Change into your ski boots at the lunch rocks or you will be dying.

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I assume that you mean that the killer would be hiking to lunch rocks in alpine boots - not hiking above lunch rocks in hiking boots?

I skied Lobster claw two weeks ago Friday, and it was all pretty good. Surprised to hear the reports that it is going so quickly, might have to make a trip up this week.

wow.......we are planning on heading up April 6-7. Doesn't sound promising. Hopefully it will at least be warm enough for good soft snow. Last year we skied Hillmans and it was frozen solid. The week before it had been beautiful spring corn.

DEVO,
Keep an eye on http://www.tuckerman.org/avalanche/index.html. Updated every morning by the rangers and the closest you'll get to a snow report.

TUX SUX....do not go there b/c i's lame.

Actually it looks like a 2nd straight low snow year. I hear the Sherby is holding well, but little headwall and lower snowfields are non-existent.
Looks more like late-april up there then late-march. Go soon or you will have a lot of down hking to do at the end of the day.

Crampons not needed, but they help. I would use an axe too if you are using crampons.

anyone know what's up w/ these guys http://www.chauvinguides.com/conditionski.htm they aren't posting reports this yr.

another weak snowpack this yr. skiing to the car will be over soon...hit it now.

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Originally Posted by Natedogg

Or Great Gulf...

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Have you been there w/ skis since we were there?

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Originally Posted by strawjack

anyone know what's up w/ these guys http://www.chauvinguides.com/conditionski.htm they aren't posting reports this yr.

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The guide who normally takes the pictures and puts up conditions is pursuing his photography (I think) career.

I should be there on friday. Drop a PM if anyone is around.

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Originally Posted by biggins

Watch out for middle aged hippies on acid.

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hey, I resemble that remark!

I'm planning a tentative birthday trip for Sunday, hopefully it'll be decent.

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Originally Posted by BenWA

Have you been there w/ skis since we were there?

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Nah, too much of a pain in the ass to get to. Every time I hike past it I try and figure out where the heck it was that we skied. I can never remember which one is airplane gully--a few obvious possibilities, but never quite sure...

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Originally Posted by PhishingME

I should be there on friday. Drop a PM if anyone is around.

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Ill be up there Friday, PM sent