Tuckerman's Ravine

[hikingfish]

Hi!
I'm trying to find trail conditions for Tuckerman's ravine. Has anyone been there recently?

Thanks!

Fish

 

[teleskier]

http://timefortuckerman.com/

(I assume you mean for skiing/riding; it's that time of year...)

 

[hikingfish]

Hi!
Thanks for the reply. The link is really interesting, however I was hoping for more mountaineering specific info since I'm going for a class there this weekend. I should of mentioned it though, sorry about that! The link does cover [ski] conditions, which might still give me a good idea...

Thanks again!

Fish

 

[David Metsky]

I was up there this weekend. The vast majority of the climbers are going up the Winter Lion Head trail. There are boot ladders up the headwall, right gully, right right gully, and all the usual suspects. I went up in my tele boots without a problem, no need for crampons. In the early morning or if the weather gets colder, it'll be froze up and crampons/axe might be needed. Climbing down the headwall wouldn't be prudent right now, Lion Head or Boott Spur would be much safer.

There was snowcover on the trail down to Pinkham, but it was slushy in the sun and there are some bare patches.

What conditions specifically are you looking for?

-dave-

 

[hikingfish]

Hi David,
Appreciate the info! I'm going up for a mountaineering class...I didn't pick the location though. I simply wanted to know the current conditions so I can plan ahead and be prepared. I was just informed this morning that the group was going to tuckerman's ravine (first time there! yay). We're basically supposed to practice self-arrest, crampons technique, roping up, etc.

Fish

 

[sli74]

We were in the Gully just to the left of Hillman's Highway on Saturday for a glacier travel and self arrest practice session . . . I believe it is called Dodge Gully or something like that.

We had the Gully to ourselves and the lower portion had packed snow with a hard crust over the top, we mashed that down some. The middle section was ice, some pretty steep stuff that we used to practice climbing with ascenders. And the top section that we saw when we practiced roped travel had easily traveled hard packed snow and also more ice flows, again steep. Most all the ice was easily traversed around with a small bushwhack.

We didn't head anywhere else but my guess is that conditions are similar elsewhere in the gullies. Let me know if you need any other specifics and also stay tuned to trip reports as we will be posting pictures in the next day or two and you can get a look at the conditions.

sli74

 

[David Metsky]

Seema, you may be referring to Dodge's Drop, named after Brooks Dodge, son of Joe Dodge, who pioneered those gullies as ski routes. They're sick and insane, but fun to watch someone ski them. That particular run is one of the most challenging, it's a "no fall" route.

Depending on the sun those gullies can change from frozen solid to corn snow and back in a very short time. In the morning they all pretty much start solid and the ones facing north tend to stay that way.

-dave-

 

[sli74]

I can't imagine anyone skiing that with all its ice and STEEP drops but hey I guess there are those with the skill and the guts out there. Luckily, noone came barrelling down while we were in practice mode

Yeah, the conditions did change throughout the day but nothing overly drastic that needed a change of gear because Saturday was just so beautiful, warm and clear.

sli74

 

[hikingfish]

Sli74, how were you dressed during the day and what was the temperature like? I'm planning on bringing down jacket, thermal fleece, poly undies (long johns), snow pants, poly tshirt, gore-tex, big mitts with smaller gloves (and tuque + balaclava). I feel like I'll be bringing loads more than what I really need, but I might end up needing the big warm coat if the weather turns sour.

Fish

 

[sli74]

I don't know what the official temp was for Saturday but I started out in spandex pants and an REI convertible hiking pant . . . a sports top and a long sleeve poly shirt and a Golite synthetic jacket. A pair of socks and my plastic boots on my feet. A neck warmer and mittens. I shed the jacket, the neck warmer and the mittens within 10 minutes. Wanted to shed the spandex pants but that would've been a spectacle considering the number of people on the trail.

I put on pair of ski pants over the top of everything else and put the Golite jacket back on once in the gully practicing my self arrest though I was sweating my buns off . . . it was a VERY warm day and the only reason I put on the extra clothing was to keep the snow from drenching me completely.

I broght ALL the gear I normally do on a cold winter day plus all my climbing gear because carrying all that weight is part of my training. Your list sounds pretty good for clothes.

sli74

 

[sierra]

sli what may I ask are you training for?

 

[jwind]

Hi!
Thanks for the reply. The link is really interesting, however I was hoping for more mountaineering specific info since I'm going for a class there this weekend. I should of mentioned it though, sorry about that! The link does cover [ski] conditions, which might still give me a good idea...

Thanks again!

Fish

Class this weekend huh? It's going to be quite croweded this weekend. It's the "Son Of Inferno" race this weekend. That alone is quite a scene... I'm surprised there is a class this weekend as well, At Tuckerman Ravine no less.

Anywho, I'm actually going to be there Fri>Sun and as of now the wheather looks quite nice. Might I add that a post over at Timefortuckerman might help you. There are some knowlegable peeps over there about which you speak...

 

[giggy]

It sounds like your going with a guide service - if so - they should be able to give you the beef on current conditions on thrus or friday - and what to wear. You could always call the pinkham info desk (don't know it off hand) or the rangers there.

as for what to wear IMHO - I took a similar class a few years back and my biggest mistake was over-dressing and sweating way too much. (temps were -20 and -30 (at night) in my class - it won't be this cold for you this weekend. Funny thing - the guide that was with us had been on everest and was saying "it don't get this cold on everest!!"

I would be shocked if you need more than a mid or lighweight baselayer with shells if windy.

Leave the car feeling a bit cold and bout 1/4 mile up tucks - you will be toasty and not drenched in sweat!!

wool (or similar) hat and a pair of base layer gloves - you will probably be wearing these most of the day - and good pair of heavier gloves with shells just in case. Take a down coat or fleece for your rest stops - since this is a class - you will be still for a while. If you don't have a down - see if you can borrow one as you will be standing around lot probably. heavy fleece would probably work - I think its going to be pretty warm this weekend.

have fun!!!!

 

[hikingfish]

sli, you should check out bodyresults.com. I just started doing their recommended training for Rainier. It's quite fun. I still need technical practice (hence why I'm taking this class this weekend) before I would attempt Rainier, but I find it's good motivation when going to the gym!

Thanks for all your recommendations!

Fish

 

[hikingfish]

Another question for you chaps: Is it overkill to bring plastic boots (koflachs)? From the pictures I've seen from last week's reports, there looks like there is a lot of snow still left!

Thanks!

Fish

 

[sli74]

There is still plenty of snow and I would bring plastics as it is easier for practice of cramponing technique and easier to kick steps on the steeps. Definitely bring the plastics.

sli74

 

[Frodo]

It's not overkill to wear plastics up there this time of year. Still TONS of snow, and with the warm temps it becomes quite soft and wet. Plastics will keep your feet very dry. They also work better with crampons than soft boots, and if you plan on doing some climbing your going to want to have good support for your crampons.

 

[talldrink]

tucks

Fish- I read through this thread and I can only add some personal experience. Stay cool when starting your hike. This is subjective but if the temps are in the 20's and the wind is light and there is sun you will heat up quickly. You don't want to lose your energy and water within the first hour. You'll need whatever your body has stored. Start out slow, dress in layers but be ready to shed, don't over pack with extra clothes. You'll never be more than 3-4 miles from Pinkham and there will be loads and loads of people up there.

My MO is to arrive with everything in my pack with my hat, mittens, balaclava all on top. I hike with a thin cap-ilene shirt and thats it. I have a fleece pull-over and a shell just below the mittens and hat in my pack. That stuff can be pulled out in seconds and put on. After that pack your food and water. Try to keep it light, your only out there for the day. Hoping you have great weather, its beautiful on sunny days.

-peace