best time

[sam]

I'm interested in going for the first time. When's the best time to go?

[RR]

If you have to have powder...February is best, as close as possible to the end of the January Thaw. But avvy gear and skills are a must, including the toughness of mind to turn around.

March is a funny month, it has the conditions of all the seasons and bunches of snow. Ice fall danger starts to rise as the snows begin to melt.

Personally, I like Feb and March the best.

April can be pretty stormy, usually strong melting after the storms. Then there's May, the sunniest month for skiing..spf30 or better and swimsuits, oh, the suimsuits! I favor hawaiian shirts and boating shorts from mid May onwards.

A word of advice, always bring rain gear (gtx, etc.) and some extra insulation. Leaving behind extra food and water, a first aid kit, and most critical, good judgement is not the way to have a good time in Tuckerman Ravine.

Always keep one eye and one ear tuned into The Signs while you're having fun.