Tuckerman's Ravine for Beginners

mtsnow123

I will be venturing up Tuckerman’s this weekend with others who have done it before, and some are avalanche certified. I wanted to know if there were any quick tips for a beginner going up.

I plan on bringing micro spikes for my hiking boots. Food/water is not a question either. Maybe what to watch out for, if it’s natural or other human issues that others have observed.

flbski

Pace yourself, it’s a workout…….only go as high as you’re comfortable…….sunscreen…….enjoy the sights from the lunch rocks……..read the snow, falling ice, with other knowledgeable folks…….

joshua_segal

Be sure you have a proper way to attach your skis to your backpack.  If tails are too close, you’re clipping your calves; if tips aren’t together, you’re forever catching tree limbs bowering the trail.

flbski

and how well your pack carries your skis/board will make all the difference in your pleasure/comfort/pain…….

ski_it

Avalanche Advisory for Tuesday, March 22, 2016

<p>This advisory expires at 12:00 midnight.</p><p>Tuckerman Ravine has CONSIDERABLE and MODERATE avalanche danger. </p>

ski_it

Micro spikes are not substitutes for crampons on steep ice.

Know when to turn around. Experienced & certified people get in trouble up there too.

http://www.newhampshire.com/article/20160302/NEWHAMPSHIRE03/160309864/-1/NEWHAMPSHIRE0502</div><div><br/></div><div>http://www.mountwashingtonavalanchecenter.org/</div><div><br/></div><div>Be sure to read the Weather Section, the Know Before You Go, Search & Rescue - recent Incidents & Accidents page.

Right now the weather doesn’t sound too conducive for anything up there, hiking or skiing, on Saturday. 50-70mph winds 0-19°F. But of course conditions WILL change…either way.

Remski

Their is so little snow in the ravine that a cave-in advisory was issued last week and granite that is usually buried under 50′ of snow is sticking out all over the bowl making this season one of the most dangerous ever for snow sports! Personally, this season I wouldn’t bother.

riverc0il

<blockquote class=“Quote” rel=“mtsnow123”>I will be venturing up Tuckerman’s this weekend with others who have done it before, and some are avalanche certified. I wanted to know if there were any quick tips for a beginner going up.

I plan on bringing micro spikes for my hiking boots. Food/water is not a question either. Maybe what to watch out for, if it’s natural or other human issues that others have observed.

</blockquote>

You should review the Mount Washington Avalanche Center’s recent write up on two helicopter rescues that were done recently due to long sliding falls resulting in critical conditions of both folks that were injured (one of them very experienced). It isn’t a typical late March up there right now. Then again, it is never “typical” up there and you always need to be evaluating weather, conditions, risk, and other issues. 

It definitely isn’t spring in Tucks yet. I think you might have a more enjoyable time if you table your trip until a good spring corn cycle happens. That way you can enjoy your first trip to the ravine. At that point, keeping alert for falling ice and rock and avoiding undermined areas become the more important issues. But at least if you slip and fall, you can generally self arrest unless you are on the steepest parts of the bowl.

becca_m

hmmmmm, even I am not tempted this year….. too many things to hit and everything looks like a no fall zone.   Sure, there have been recent reports of super-fun descents in Right & Left Gully, but, I would wait for a spring corn harvest if there’s any harvest at all this year.   It’s an experience unlike any other, but, the risks are real.    

I’ve been a few times,,, not always “successfully”    ;)   (my profile pic is in tux)

Bill29

Visit the Time for Tuckerman (t4t) site. Lot’s of good info there from people who ski Mt. Washington winter and spring. The Ravine is a great experience when things are right, but it can be tough, dangerous and even deadly at times. As Remski said, there is thin cover and holes can open up in spots, often over running water. People who have fallen into a hole in years past have died.Now that some of us have scared you, have fun! Give us a trip report.

skirick

<p>Just think of it as more of a hiking/mountaineering experience than a skiing experience for your 1st time. Only if the conditions are decent (which they don’t seem too be) will you get to ski much. If the Sherburne trail is melted out, its that much less skiing and more hiking you will do. </p><p>All in all if you do you homework, know your limitations, and be careful, no matter what, the first time doing it is something you’ll never forget.</p>

catamount82

Based on this trip report from about 2 weeks ago (scroll for pic of bowl), can’t see that going to Tucks is going to be anything other than a nice hike this year. The skiing has got to be abysmal.

<font face=“Arial, Verdana”>http://timefortuckerman.com/forums/showthread.php?t=16624</span></font><br/></div><div><font face=“Arial, Verdana”></font>

mtsnow123

Thanks for all the guidance guys! I have done plenty of late spring hikes with the board, so not too much stress on my body with my backpack (perfect for carrying a board w/ great straps). It seems like I should remember that I may show up and realize it will not be a day to ride. Really looking forward to seeing how beautiful it will be. 

flbski

beautiful it is

Chuckstah

My first trip up Tucks about 25 years ago.  Late season, in June.

The hike up was no problem as we took our time and I was still kind of young.  A hike down was necessary as well, with the Sherborne trail long melted out.  That wasn’t quite as much fun.

Once in the ravine, things get serious.  After stowing our packs and booting up it was time for the climb up.  

Boot pack up the set track: scared 0987y:  Thought I was going to fall and take out the whole line.

Trying to find a spot to click in within my comfort zone at the time after successfully making the climb: seemed impossible!

After finally clicking in, way out of my comfort zone, then  things got hairy.  A chunk of ice the size of a car tumbled down above us, echoing through the ravine.  Knees were shaking.  Saw one person lose footing and slide down toward lunch rocks.  He was bloody but OK.  The ice missed everyone, but smaller chunks followed.

So now I’m hanging onto the side of the wall, knees trembling.  Finally had to just say F it and go.  Run went great, avoiding the crevasses below.  One of the best runs of my life!  Also the scariest run of my life!

Rinse and repeat!  Each time since has gotten much easier with experience.  But expect the unexpected and always be aware of your surroundings!

bmwskier

I did advanced avalanche up there way back in 96. Many folks walked up in full ski attire and quickly overheated. A couple of us went in long underwear as tights and shorts over that and did great temp management wise. Oh, bring lots and lots of water– more than you think you will need. 

Chuckstah

Great points on the water and attire . Also,  you can refill your water supply at the well just beyond  Hojo’s.  The water was a bit murky last season, but potable.

Bill29

I’ve written this several times in the past, but I’m trying to get my posts to 100, so here it comes again. In 1969 I swan in the Atlantic Ocean in Saco, Maine, on July 4 and skied in Tuckerman Ravine on July 6. And the snow pack in the bowl then was deeper than it looks from these pics now. It went up to the lip, but no farther. One Canadian woman was standing on a snow bridge against the rock face, stepping into her skis when the bridge collapsed and she slid down the wall about 35 feet to the bottom. A climber picked up a long rope at the first aid cache, we lowered him to the skier, he fashioned a rope harness of sorts for her - first sending up her skis - and we pulled her up. She was none the worse for wear and skied the rest of the afternoon. Tough folks, these Canadians. The climber said he could see light over near the left gully, so he walked and crawled through the openings under that huge snowpack. As I recall, he was from Natick, Mass. Brave people, these Bay Staters.

joshua_segal

<blockquote class=“Quote” rel=“Bill29”>I’ve written this several times in the past, but I’m trying to get my posts to 100, so here it comes again. In 1969 I swan in the Atlantic Ocean in Saco, Maine, on July 4 and skied in Tuckerman Ravine on July 6. And the snow pack in the bowl then was deeper than it looks from these pics now. It went up to the lip, but no farther. One Canadian woman was standing on a snow bridge against the rock face, stepping into her skis when the bridge collapsed and she slid down the wall about 35 feet to the bottom. A climber picked up a long rope at the first aid cache, we lowered him to the skier, he fashioned a rope harness of sorts for her - first sending up her skis - and we pulled her up. She was none the worse for wear and skied the rest of the afternoon. Tough folks, these Canadians. The climber said he could see light over near the left gully, so he walked and crawled through the openings under that huge snowpack. As I recall, he was from Natick, Mass. Brave people, these Bay Staters.</blockquote>

Undoubtedly the best natural snow year for nor’easters.  I remember Wildcat, with virtually no snowmaking, was advertising close to a 150″ based at Feb. vacation week.  I was at the Ravine in June of that year and was told people were still making turns there in August.

Bill29

You’re right (again) Joshua. Winter of 1968-69 - 566 inches of snow on Mt. Washington. One four-day storm dropped 74 inches, if I remember correctly. I think Sugarloaf got more than 325 inches that winter and I remember skiing there in nearly mid-winter conditions in May.

And, three cheers! That’s 100!