Tucks or Lion Head?

[MadRiver]

Quick question, if you were on the summit of Washington and the weather quickly took a turn for the worse and you needed to get off the mountain fast, which trail would you take Lion Head or Tuckerman? If it were just me, I would descend Lion Head, if I’m with others who are relatively new, I’m not sure. Tucks might be the safer trail, yet I would reach Lion Head first. Any thoughts?

 

[griffin]

If it were bad enough, I'd probably park myself in the summit buildings for a while.

Other than that, I think I might do Tucks. The headwall might seem a bit intense, but I feel like it gets you down and into the trees a bit faster than Lion's Head.

But it's been awhile since I've done either.

 

[Ed'n Lauky]

It actually happened to me once. I was with a 'friend?' who bailed and hitchhiked down. I had Duffy and was afraid I wouldn't get a ride so I shot down Tucks with no real problems.

 

[Kevin Rooney]

I would take Lions Head. You reach krumholtz faster. In fact, you can duck into it at the Alpine Garden if necessary, which is the top of the headwall. Tucks doesn't provide any real vegetative cover until you've reached the bottom of the headwall. Should there be heavy rain, I would not want to be on the headwall of Tucks, either.

Just my take on it.

 

[SherpaKroto]

Lion's Head. Been there, done that. Tuck's would keep you more exposed for a longer period.

 

[marty]

It actually happened to me once. I was with a 'friend?' who bailed and hitchhiked down. I had Duffy and was afraid I wouldn't get a ride so I shot down Tucks with no real problems.

Some friend. That's just wrong!

 

[Kevin Judy and Emma]

Tucks vs Lion Head

IMO Lion Head leaves you exposed to the wind a lot longer and after a good soaking this can be bad. There are also some very tricky sections just like Tucks that would be a problem when wet.

If you're talking about a bailout plan for any time in the near future it should be noted that Tuck's is still closed.

KDT

 

[RoySwkr]

Tucks might be the safer trail, yet I would reach Lion Head first.

Funny, I would have said just the opposite.

If what you are worried about is wet rocks, I would say that Lion Head is probably easier. If it is wind or lightning, I would say that Tucks will get you out of the wind and strike zone sooner - although as mentioned I would sit out a lightning storm in buildings if I could.

I was at Lakes one day with a thunderstorm coming and the hutman hustled us down Right Gully. Not a route I would have thought of otherwise but it worked out fine.