First Time

[sean882]

Hi, I'm in the planning for a trip to Tuckerman's for the first time with some friends. Just a few questions:

1.) When is the best time to go? I've heard April is best, but also that March is better.

2.) What's the hike up like? Would snow shoes be recommended, or will a nice pair of boots fair just fine?

3.) About how long does the hike in/up take? I'm not confident in my ability to estimate time hiking in the snow, I'm sure it's slower than on dirt trails.

Thanks for the advice! :)

[Panchito]

Do a search there is plenty of info to find already.
Hard to find the best time to go as the weather is so variable. personally I like 40-50 degrees and sunny. The tucks trail is all packed down so no flotation is needed, may need some traction if it is cold. Go when the danger is low if you have no avalanche savvy.

[NtrentT]

There are plenty posts like this one, do a search for "first time" and you will see all the answers.

But here's my .02 to save you some time.

First time ever doing non-lift serve terrain?

My first time hiking up I over packed, wore wrong clothing, had terrible weather, and left gully was frightening in the sleet and fog, and my lunch was a can of cold canned pasta.
It took us about 3 hours to hike up.....
Don't do that.......


Having been up to Tux multiple times each winter/spring now for the past 8 years straight, I've come a long way.

The hike up usually takes me 1.5 hours with some overnight gear and food.
I usually don't do Tux in a day any more because I like waking up and being there.

Here's my advice for a first timer going on a day trip.

1. Wear layers so you can add/remove when you need to so you don't over heat, then freeze.

2. Cotton is not your friend out in the backcountry, do not wear it.

3. If you are planning on hiking up, consider the trail conditions; and ask yourself if you need traction of some sort; in late spring the trail can still be plenty slippery with just rubber soled hiking boots. Micro-spikes or stabilizers are very useful and don't take up much space in the pack.

4. There is a pump a little past the caretaker's hut on the way to the bowl, and I've never had it fail me, though I've been told it can: the water is potable and very tasty, so you don't need to over pack water weight. I take up what I need for the hike up only.

5. When you get there make sure you talk with the Ranger's and find out whats going on that day in terms of conditions, ice fall, avi risk and so on; and listen to them 100%, they know better than you.

6. Bring a wind breaker / shell layer always, this refers to item #1 of this list

7. It's nice to tip the caretaker with beer or a small donation

8. There's about 8 countable switchbacks at the start of the TRT followed by a mile + of pretty straight trail, ending with a final bridge and a left turn at a wooden TRT trail sign, at that point you have about a 15min hike to HOJOs

9. Hillmans Highway is a great run, far lookers left outside of the bowl below Boot Spur; you should put this on your list, and is a great first run too.

10. Have common sense

Enjoy !