New to boarding_what are my chances at Tuckerman?

[new boarder]

Howdy. I am fairly new to boarding -- I'd say my level is upper-novice to intermediate. Several hardcore ski/board friends would like to go to Tuckerman's for Easter weekend. Are there good trails for folks like me? Will I be boarding with these friends, or are the "easier" trails far off?

[<Yogi>]

I would plan on hiking and watching from the lunch rocks (which is fun as well). There are NO easy trails anywhere near the mountain. Not only is the terrain extremely challenging, but you must also be on the lookout for crevaces, falling ice chunks and boulders, snowslides and undermining from meltwaters (just to mention a few hazards).

In fact not only would you be endangering yourself but others as well if you were to try to ride any of it. My advice is, skip the board, hike up and observe. Then go practice riding until you can negotiate ALL TRAILS skillfully at any mountain serviced by lifts.

Once you can do this THEN you can come back and challenge yourself at Tuck's. I don't want to have to drag your ass down the mountain in a stretcher like so many others and miss my freshies.

Happy trails,

Yogi

[DMC]

The bottom of Hillmans isnt so bad...
If you do bring your board up walk over to Hillmans

[M@]

I'd vote bring your board and LOTS of common sense. When you hike up the ski runs, LOOK DOWN and see how you feel. Once it's high enough, strap them on and go. My first time I only went up hillman's a little bit. Next time I went 1/2 up the bowl. Then the chute and this year I finally made it over the headwall.

So if you want to "fit in" and have your board on your back, go for it. On the flipside, if you wanna dance circles around them as they trudge up the trail... go lite-pack and maybe just bring an innertube. Tubing the center of the bowl is WICKED fun.

M@

[<enzo>]

Go for it!

Just be prepared mentally to board only the base of the bowl or Hillman's - let common sense rule over your ego when it comes to determining if you are over your head or not. If you find that you've gotten into a spot that is too much for you, don't be afraid of admitting it and walk back down. No one will think any less of you - in fact, most will admire your common sense.

Once you get there, talk to the Rangers and to other boarders so as to know where the dangers lie, AND STAY AWAY FROM THOSE AREAS!

DON'T go and just blindly start climbing up the Bowl - it is VERY decieving just how damned steep it is when hiking up. A LOT steeper than anything you've seen at a regular ski area!

Don't worry - even if you get up there and decide to not board at all, the trip will be worth it. The place is simply awesome!

[pscopa]

New Boarder,

Agree with the folks here that you should play it by ear. I agree with M@. You do not have to ski down the headwall your first trip into Tucks. Pick a run that you think you can handle the climb up and the ski down. You do not have to go all the way up the bowl to ski/board. Make sure you are checking out your descent route as you climb up. Don't get yourself in a situation where lack of experience is going to get you or others hurt.

Watch out for open and hidden crevasses. The warm weather this week is going to deteriorate the conditions. I was there last Thursday when skier went through hidden crevass on lip and fell in up to his shoulders. Check out what is posted at Tuckerman.org.

"Warming temperatures have increased the danger of FALLING ICE. Generally, the warmer the temperatures, rain, or direct sun the higher the possibility of icefall. Ice fall can occur in most areas of the Ravine, but predominately come out of the Center Headwall and the Sluice. This weekend ice came out of the Headwall, Sluice, and Right Gully. Do not linger under ice and have a plan in mind when it comes down. Very large rocks offer some protection from ice so plan on being behind or near one when ever possible."

"Crevasses have begun to reappear throughout the Ravine. One individual went up to his armpits near the Lip on Thursday with 20 feet of air between his feet and the bottom of the hole. On Saturday another visitor went down 5 feet below the surface. He was rescued with no injuries although a bit shaken up. With warming temperatures deeper pludges will be likely if you go into a crevasse or hole. Blownout areas and undermined snow exist with the areas of most concern being the Little Headwall and places around the Lip. Hiking up what you plan on skiing is recommended so you can see what you're in for on the way down. If you are traveling from the Bowl to the Little Headwall via the Cutler River, please take your skis or snowboard off and walk. This will help minimize damage to vegetation in this area and reduce the risk of plunging through thin snow bridges and into the icy torrent. The trip down the Little Headwall is fraught with hazards. Open water, large deep holes, and unstable snow bridges all exist between the bowl and Hermit Lake so use common sense and caution."

Be safe and have a great day. Should still be plenty of snow. I am thinking of making a return trip myself Saturday.

Paul

[ski@6288]

new boarder,

I don't want to repeat what everyone else has already mentioned. Please, make sure you understand what we are telling you. For two reasons. The first being the most important, safety! There are so many ways to ruin your day, season, or life or that of other hikers if you are not 100% capable.

Second, I think we all know how hard it is to fight an ego and so not to dissapoint yourself realize that Tucks is one amazing piece of terrain. It never ceases to amaze me! I know it is hard to realize it from the pics and videos. Just remember, when you are climbing, it is okay and good to be a little (or alot) scared. It is like nothing you have ever seen! Even when you are hiking up the bowl it is hard to fully appreciate the steepness until you are strapped in and on your way. Of course, that is too late if you are not ready to handle it.

I recommend hiking half-way up right gully and see how you like it. As previously mentioned, the bottom of hillmans' is great as well. I think that is probably to closest to anything you would get at a resort/area. Everything else is unreal!

And for my last bit of advice, just being in the bowl is a great time. The hiking is excellent and everyone there is out to have a good time. So if you hike up and decide not to ride that is okay..have fun!! Try the Sherburne ski trail on your way down...if there is any snow left!

Have fun, be smart!

Have you ever hiked the ravine in the summer?

[<Snow Stud>]

Ride the super-quad to the top and stick to the intermediate trails and you'll be fine. Be sure to stop off to be fitted for a backboard at the lunch rocks on your way up!

[SkiStooge]

NOTE FROM AL TO NEW BOARDER: Remember this: There is no glory to be found in broken body parts." Or in other words, be DARNED sure of your ability to ski anything. Believe me, once you DO have enough ability, it is a far greater rush to ski Tucks than you can get from merely surviving it. Get good, get better, at least come up to watch (don't forget the camcorder! I've augered in pretty hard a couple times in the past and it's always worth catching on camera. (This year, however, I managed 54 ski days -I work nights-at various resorts in NH and only managed to crash and burn once...should be a great year for me at Tucks!) Sucks that it happens at all, but since it will anyways, (not just me!)it's worth a few bucks worth of videotape. Just be safe and have a blast! Al

[SkiStooge]

PS to snowstud: LOL I PERSONALLY like the Gondola better to the top. Usually I have a bunch of really cool people ride up eith me like Santa, the Easter Bunny, the Grinch and his dog Max. It's better than the Super Quad! Try it! Al

[RR]

Kids 11 years old have used edgless x-c skis from half way up in Left Gully and tubing in the bowl is wicked dangerous. Tuck's is about extremes and moderation. Take your gear and common sense, you'll have fun and learn more about yourself.

The spring snow in Tuck's is often very soft, on days like that you'll be carving like a hero, even if you don't walk up real high. On icy days a narrow snowboard is a major heel-side bummer up high. (Big risers under your binding will help on that.)

[Skilasnow]

The only problem with the gondola is the heated seats :p .

I like taking the Dodges Drop J-bar up. As exciting going up as coming back down!

[targheehucker]

New Boarder-

I have been skiing for 23 years and my first trip to tucks I left the skis at home. I just wanted to go up and get a feel for the place and see what the hype was about. Equipment adds about 20 pounds to your load so you want to be sure you are going to go and actually ride, which i wasnt after hearing about tuckermans legendary terrain. sure when i got up there i was like dam wish i had skis, but I still had an awesome time hanging out and plans on future visits were set.

[Finhead]

I did my first trip this weekend. I can navigate most NE trails pretty well. Advanced intermediate. On my shorties (ski boards) I have no fear. However, Tuckermans is scary. With the snow being like heavy mashed potatoes, and the shorties, I only went half way up right gully. No shame, just a great time.

Saw many people playing at the base of the bowl and having a grand time. Just BE SMART and don't climb higher than your ability.

It's all about the journey, not the ego or bragging rights. Being carried off the mountain is nothing to brag about. Making it home safe is the greatest accomplishment.

Next year, new skis. Ditching the old stiff racing skis for something that can actually turn. Maybe climb a little higher, but who knows, I will let ability, common sense and respect for the mountain determine everything.

Peace.

[billr]

So PJ and I were walking across the rocks from the base of the Upper Snowfields to the top of the Chute on Saturday afternoon (nice but slow corn in the fields) and crossed paths w/a snowboarder who asked, "What's the easiest way down?". I laughed (couldn't help it) and said, "There is no easy way down." He looked fairly upset, so we pointed him towards the Lions Head trail and gave him directions into the Right Gully. I don't know if he made it, but what in the world was this guy thinking?