first time, need advice

[burtonboardr]

I have never snowboarded tuckerman but i would like to. I have hiked it in the summer but never in the winter or spring. I did look at the checklist on this site of what to bring but i still had some questions i wanted to ask.

1. would i be able to hike up in my snowboard boots? They are pretty comfortable and a lot easier to walk in than ski boots, and i wasnt sure if there were "footprints" in the path of where people walk that i could step in, or if i would need to hike up in hiking boots.

2. the bag that i have is a snowboard bag (shaped like a snowboard) that has straps to use like a backpack, however when the board isnt in it, it would flop over my head, so i dont know how that would work going down. Will i need to buy a regular backpack or a big backpack that i can attach the board to the back of? and if so how would i do that or how would i know which backpacks i can strap my board onto?

3. I was also wondering if anybody could tell me exactly how they approach all of this so i can get some ideas. like what they bring and how they bring it.

4. is the snow deep powder, or is it harder and icey, or what?

5. I was thinking i should dress lightly because it would be warm out and it would be especially hot when hiking with all the gear etc. Should i dress light and bring warm clothes just incase? or dress warm from the start?

Thanks to anybody who can help, and i am sorry if i am asking a lot, i just want to make sure i am prepared for the first time

[Fanatic1]

Your very questions have been asked and answered dozens of times all over this forum...Best advice is to immerse yourself in it and get the wealth of knowledge that it has to offer. So much depends on the time of year and the spirt of the mountain. Get in harmony with it and you will have a nice time. Try to force it to work with your plans and it could prove to be a disaster. Good luck!

[Panchito]

Well this is fun, commenting makes me not feel like such a newbie!

All of this is contingent upon when you go mind you. Having never done it I would suggest April and keep a close eye on the weather and avy report. Also keep in mind that the weather can say no wind and jaybird and it could be quite the opposite.

1.)I snowboard in a sturdy pair of winter boots, so hiking in them is not a problem. I am a bit of an anomaly in that, but I have never liked regular snowboard boots and they barely had them when I started. My buddy hikes with his and has no problem. It is a highway in the spring going up there so it's packed right down. Microspikes are a plus but not needed.
2.) The bag I would strongly suggest that you get a good daypack. Your set up sounds very uncomfortable. I use an ossprey day pack.
3.)Pack like you would for a day hike, just add a board. Unless you go when it's "winter" (in quotes because that could be in april) you don't need to go to crazy. Winter is a whole different ball game.
4.) No deep powder unless you go in winter and have a death wish. The sherbie trail to the parking lot is a fun run with some snow. Get there while the sherbie is skiing to the parking lot, beats walking down. FYI sherbie itself is a blast after a dumping, just don't go thinking your going into the bowl.
5.) that's up to you. I go light so I don't sweat out. Bring a winter set up especially if you go to the snowfields (Highly recommended, the corn is wonderful) near the summit. Just be smart.

FYI the boot ladder is a quick way to the top of the bowl, but a little dangerous. I would go right by lunch rocks and up that way. Boot ladder is scary. Someone let's loose is front of you and your in trouble.

Thats the newbie report. Like I said be smart and don't go until the snow has consolidated and the avy report looks okay. Have fun and be safe


http://i997.photobucket.com/albums/af100/pkiernan/GulfofSlidesJanuary2nd2010004.jpg

[brakeformoose]

To try and answer your questions:
1. I don't snowboard, but I think if I did I would still hike in either hiking boots or trail runners.

2. Get a day pack that has snowboard straps. I know you may be hesitant to spend the money for your first time but really you'll want something that was actually designed to carry a load over some distance. The straps on your bag are good for getting from parking lot to base lodge and thats about it.

3. Do you have much experience hiking in the Whites? If yes, bring exactly what you would for a day hike, plus some winter layers and don't forget lots of water. If no, then do more research and then ask this question.

4. The snow could be anything from deep powder to hard ice to wonderful spring corn. However the first two you really want to avoid for the first time. Deep powder will push avy conditions way too high for your level of experience. Hard and icy will require crampons, ice ax, and familiarization with the basic principles and techniques of winter mountaineering.

The spring corn, however, is what makes Tux famous. After the ski areas melt out, there bowl holds snow well into spring/summer and as it softens up each day under the sun it turns into this beautiful canvas known as corn snow. This is what you want for your first time.

5. Depends on the weather that day. For the first time you'll want to go when it is warm (50's) and sunny so dressing lightly for the hike up is recommended. However it is important to have insulating and weather proof layers in your pack because you never know what it will be like once you get above tree line and the weather can change quickly.