1st Timers trying to Ski/Ride June 1st

[dudekiller]

Fist off, Hello everyone!!! This site has me even more excited to get up to Tucks!!! If the peeps here on this board are the norm, the overall attitude up there is going to be awesome!!!

My Uncle and I are planning on trying to ski/ride on June 1st (he skis, I ride, both First timers for Tucks) We are both into it for the "Whole package" but want to be able to at least get in a few "Good" runs.... (Frankly, I'll be happy with one "good" run. Even still, as a first timer, I think I'll be happy just getting up there and getting a good look at what to expext next year, when I can make the trip before Mem Day!!!

All that being said, (we are still going even with 0% chance of getting in a run or 2) how do you all think the conditions will be?? Also, are there any tips for LATE SEASON first timers??

[skicdave]

Hi dudekiller... welcome.

Should be enough snow even June 1st, but don't expect very long runs, and it will be somewhat hairy to say the least. Bring a helmet and use a lot of caution!

Here is what to expect, or maybe a bit less, weather depending. You'll notice in the photos that the snowline starts up the ravine slope somewhat. If you fall above this, there is a 98% chance you'll slide off the edge of the snow and into BIG mean/hard/non movable boulders and scrub.

Wiping out is NOT an option. :skierpetrified:

Helmet? No need to ask if you need to bring it.

May 17, 1998
http://skicentral.com/gifs/tu9805a.jpg

May 29, 2000
http://timefortuckerman.com/gifs/ravine000520-1.jpg

Boarder Meets Boulders and Scrub Up Close
http://timefortuckerman.com/gifs/wipeoutintorocks.jpg

[dudekiller]

Thanks Dave! Nice Pics!!! I was planning on a helmet, and the pic of rocks/scrub just sealed the deal there!!! (everyone should get a kick out of me wearing my hockey helmet!!!) So, should I expect to see many others up there so late in the year??

[sprocket7]

Hmm, this is an interesting thread as a friend and I are planning our first trip for hopefully next week. If you keep your speed down and don't get too cowboy on the lower slope, then you should be able to check your speed before the end of the slope. The snow looks to be gone on the steeper parts up high - what is the slope like where there is still snow?

[skicdave]

Well by late May its the middle and lower areas of the ravine wall that are left. Its not super steep, but steep enough that if you fall it is difficult to self arrest before you slide into the rocks below. I've seen people wipeout and tumble into the rocks. It is not a pretty picture. An example would be May 17, 1998 when Kevin Sullivan from Boston fell and tumbled at least 30 feet into the rocks part way up the ravine below The Chute. Check it out here (http://timefortuckerman.com/photo9805-1.html).

If the runout just left of lunch rocks is still intact, then insure you ski above this area. It should be safer. Mind you some hefty boulders will start to appear even there.

Haven't been to Tucks myself lately, however based on latest reports and the web cam, looks like conditions are holding up pretty good.

Like SkiStooge always preaches Have fun. be safe.

[Skilasnow]

And don't bring your new skis. Bring very well tuned, DIN cranked up, older skis that you truely won't mind should youblow out an edge, a very real possibility if you do wipe and a random possibility even if you don't. The boulders will start to peak out and you might not see them under 1/16 th of an inch of 100% all natural corn until you have already torn up your base and knocked out an edge. I actually am not sure where I trashed my last set of rock skis, I just remember looking at them closely when I got home and almost just left them on the curb. I though better of it and am waiting til I can bring them to :eek: , shhh, The Austrian, shhh to see if he can fix them.

Helmets are pretty much required, and some body armor isn't a bad idea, just in case, thems heap big rocks :skierpetrified:
http://www.cambriabike.com/dh/images/azonic_z5_body_armor_back.gif

[skicdave]

Make it official gear ...

http://timefortuckerman.com/gifs/skilaslenasgear.gif

[dudekiller]

nICE PHOTOSHOP DAVE!!!

That looks like a nice addition for my hockey helmet!!! Hmmmm... maybe I'll leave the cage on the helmet, get that authentic look!!!

[TheOctopus]

I hoping for some June turns this year because I've never done that and I'd like to. Easier this year than in others since June 1 falls on a weekend. I've been there in late May (2001) and skied Left Gully nearly from the top with plenty of run-out.

As long as it stays as cloudy as it has been this month, things should be alright. The sun really melts a lot of snow.

My own $.02 would be that a sketchy run-out is fine, but a sketchy run-out with firm conditions (the corn cycle will actually stop, at some point, and things will get glacial -- I don't know the science of why) is a bad scene. I think two years ago a woman was killed in a late- late-season fall while snow boarding. Yikes.

[Skilasnow]

skicdave:
Make it official gear ...

http://timefortuckerman.com/gifs/skilaslenasgear.gif :D :D :D :happydog: :jumpturn: :schlitz:

And what great new graemlins to choose from. Dave must be hella busy at ... work? :p