Tuckerman ravine

doubleblackjack

doubleblackjack

Member
Considering hitting tucks for the first time this year or next year, and i have many questions. How long and grueling is the hike to the base? When is the best time of the year to go? How many laps do people usually do in a day?
 
I'm out in Colorado but even I've heard of the legendary Tuck's!

Isn't it more of a spring (April) type of thing?
 
More mid March-April. It's the only time where it isn't wicked icy and there's some sort of snowpack. Also, it's about a 6 mile hike to the base of the ravine if I remember correctly. It's a pretty mellow gradient since most of your elevation gain will be in the ravine its self.

14243491:doubleblackjack1 said:
Yeah i think it’s pretty popular late February to april
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**This post was edited on Feb 15th 2021 at 6:50:14am
 
Wait till spring.

If you’re in halfway decent shape you can be up, ski a lap, and back in like 5 hours. Jong show most nice spring weekends. It’s fun to do once. But that’s about it.
 
Usually starts being good in April-May, depending on the year. Earlier you hit the better chance you have of being able to ski all the way down to the lot. The hike up the Tuckerman Ravine Trail isn't too bad, probably like 3 hours to the headwall. From there you can see all the lines and can choose where to go up and how far. Can be pretty sketchy in spots to put your skis on with how steep it is, so be aware that once you commit you may have to go all the way to the top. I've only gone once and skied one lap, way too tired to go up for a second. Wasn't too difficult/steep on the ski down, more of a mental challenge of a big line away from the resort.

Most importantly, check the avalanche forecast at the MWAC (https://mountwashingtonavalanchecenter.org/forecast/#/presidential-range) before you go. Generally in spring they stop doing a daily forecast as the snowpack settles and conditions get safer. Even if there's low risk of avy, the bulletin gives good details on the weather, conditions, and other risks.
 
14243692:crowsquad said:
Most importantly, check the avalanche forecast at the MWAC (https://mountwashingtonavalanchecenter.org/forecast/#/presidential-range) before you go. Generally in spring they stop doing a daily forecast as the snowpack settles and conditions get safer. Even if there's low risk of avy, the bulletin gives good details on the weather, conditions, and other risks.
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Agree with all of this. I would also advise to go with someone who has good experience skiing the area. Take proper precautions, investigate snowpack, and use safety equipment. It may be the east coast but avalanches can happen. Tuck faces brutal and relentless winds which form wind slabs and causes insane amounts of blowoff to accumulate in nooks and crannies. Lost a legend there recently. Low risk day, extremely experienced skier, familiar with area, had proper equipment. He might still be here if he hadn't gone alone...

https://vtskiandride.com/avalanche-mt-washington-ian-forgays/

RIP Skiin' Ian

Have fun and be safe OP.
 
14243488:Dan-Man said:
I'm out in Colorado but even I've heard of the legendary Tuck's!

Isn't it more of a spring (April) type of thing?
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not anymore, now it's a go up in january with no avalanche gear and get caught in an avalanche in left gully type thing
 
basically it's legit avalanche terrain in winter months and you need to be prepared for that

in the spring it's pretty safe, a shitload of kooks ski it (myself included), still dangerous but nothing like it is in the winter
 
I've skiied there in June. Less snow, but also a shorter bootpack. It's about 2 miles from the trailhead to ravine floor. Most of the hike is easy but the last 1/4 mile or so from the ski patrol hut to the toboggan cache is steep and rocky, at least in the spring. Dedicated hiking boots are a good idea. There's some campsites up there you can book if you want to stay a few days. I'd say go in may when avy danger might be less extreme and the weather will probably be nicer.

I'd recommend getting crampons because the bootpack gets very steep and it can be icy. There's videos of people sliding all the way down because they slipped hiking up. There are a lot of hazards up there no matter when you go, like falling rocks and ice, undercutting of the snow by running water, avalanches, etc. It can be very foggy too.

It would be reasonable for a fit person to do 3 laps in a day, if you're going all the way to the top.
 
14243785:ThisAngelicRage said:
Agree with all of this. I would also advise to go with someone who has good experience skiing the area. Take proper precautions, investigate snowpack, and use safety equipment. It may be the east coast but avalanches can happen. Tuck faces brutal and relentless winds which form wind slabs and causes insane amounts of blowoff to accumulate in nooks and crannies. Lost a legend there recently. Low risk day, extremely experienced skier, familiar with area, had proper equipment. He might still be here if he hadn't gone alone...

https://vtskiandride.com/avalanche-mt-washington-ian-forgays/

RIP Skiin' Ian

Have fun and be safe OP.
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HOLY FUCKING SHIT.

YOU!

ITS YOU!

I'll see you up there, OP.
 
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