Climbing Tux for the first time

[CanDo]

Hey guys,

I got the thought that it would be cool to do a little trip up Tux sometime in the next couple of weeks while I'm out of college but am not sure how doable/safe it would be. I'm in decent shape, just climbed Lafayette over Thanksgiving. I don't have crampons, but do have snowshoes with them built-in or could rent a pair of crampons if necessary. My first question is just whether any sort of trip is safe/sane at this time of year. If so, are there any opportunities for an intermediate skier in the ravine? I haven't skied for a couple of years but last time I left off, I was skiing blues and some blacks, but no double blacks. From what I've seen on youtube, it looks like there are some insane runs down the bowl, but on the sides is it a lot easier? Is skiing even possible there at this time of year?

What is the climb to Tux like compared to a normal winter hike in the presidentials? How is Tux itself different from that?

I don't have too much experience, so am just trying to get a feel of what to expect so I don't end up going and killing myself or even worse, going, realizing it's not smart and just turning around.

Thanks,

CanDo

[jumpturn]

You could certainly hike up there with crampons and ice axe, provided that you go up a ridge like Lion's head. If you plan to venture into the ravine and go up a gully like right or left gully, you should read the avalanche report and brush up your avalanche skills. Potentially, you could ski down something like right gully, the lobster claw or even left gully, provided the conditions are right. If they don't look good, just hike past the problem with crampons and try from lower down.

The biggest hazard, apart form the weather, is the avalanche risk. So, you really have to pay attention to it and proceed with due caution. http://images.absolutepunk.net/images/smilies/Standard/skull.gif

[surfsnowywaves]

Ditto on what JumpTurn said about the weather and avalanche conditions. Things can get real nasty, real quick up there. If you left off skiing blues/blacks a few years ago, I wouldn't push it too hard. There is some mellow skiing lower down in the bowl, near Lunch Rocks, but you still have to pay attention to avalanches, and you'll also have to ski out the Little Headwall, which has a steep pitch to it. What I'd personally recommend, if you want to get up there, is to hike up to Hermit Lake, maybe up into the bowl if the conditions are ok, and skiing out via the Sherburne Trail. It winds down the mountain, and throws a few steeper pitches at you towards the bottom, and is overall really fun.

www.tuckerman.org is your friend, and definitely pay attention to the weather, the Mt W Obs is usually a bit more accurate for the area than NWS as they report for the mountain rather than the region.

[PWDR8S]

I don't even think Lower Headwall is open yet... Usually isn't passable until mid /late Jan at best.

I would recommend you take a few runs on something more easily accessible before considering sliding in TUX... You know... to get the proverbial rust off them edges. Then you might go up into the bowl. Early season skiing in the bowl isn't the wisest of choices but I'm not your MOM. Not knowing what the current base is and slabbing conditions and test pit records are, I cannot provide wise council on what to expect other than the avalanche danger is considerably greater now through late March. If you choose to go, absolutely consult with the rangers there at HoJo's or the caretaker. They have 1st hand knowledge of the conditions and can advise you prior your venturing up into da bowl.

There's no shame in lugging your gear up there only to stash it at Hojo's for a quick look-see in the bowl, acknowledging it's not ripe for sliding and then skiing down the Sherburn Trail from HoJos. I have done this several times in my many many jaunts up there. Some of my fav ski runs have been just the Sherbie because of too much instability in the bowl but plenty of fresh on the ol Sherbie. :cool:

Go ahead and just do a day hike up there to get 'the lay of the land'... this way you'll KNOW you want to return AND what to expect and potentially what line you wish to tackle 1st. :D

Oh yeah ..... almost forgot....
Welcome aboard! I'm certain you'll find this forum a great fountain of TUX knowledge and fun. I look forward to your TRs(Trail Reports).

[awf170]

I haven't skied for a couple of years but last time I left off, I was skiing blues and some blacks, but no double blacks.

Honestly most of the time I have skied the Sherbie this time of the year it has been equal to or surpassed the challenge of doubleblack inbounds terrain. Sure it isn't as steep but it is a hell of lot more variable.

[172Recon]

For what it's worth, since you have some time, I would pay a visit to the ravine to get an idea of what it is like, and decide for yourself. Then I would return in the Spring to ski it. This way, it will give you an idea of what you will be skiing, while at the same time allow you some time to ski some terrain this winter to help with your turns.