Report and Photos for Easter Weekend Apr 18-21

[skicdave]

Hi Gang,

Dave here reporting from Attitash Mountain Village. Arrived here about 4:00pm and headed directly over to Pinkham and Wildcat to check out conditions and take some close ups and video of the ravine. See photos below.

Looking decent tommorow for the Inferno. I'll be up in the ravine taking photos/videos. Will post a few more photos Saturday night.

So here are some teasers and close ups as of Apr 18 at 4:20pm...

Ravine

http://timefortuckerman.com/gifs/tucks20030418a.jpg

Also check out a Larger View of the Ravine (1856x1392) (http://timefortuckerman.com/gifs/tucks20030418alarge.jpg)

800x600 Images

View Close Up of Headwall and The Lip (http://timefortuckerman.com/gifs/tucks20030418b.jpg)

View Close Up of Left Gully (http://timefortuckerman.com/gifs/tucks20030418b.jpg)

View Close Up of The Chute and Center Ravine (http://timefortuckerman.com/gifs/tucks20030418d.jpg)

View Close Up of Hillmans Highway (http://timefortuckerman.com/gifs/tucks20030418e.jpg)

View Close Up of Gulf of Slides (http://timefortuckerman.com/gifs/tucks20030418f.jpg)

1856x1392 Images (Very Large!)

View Close Up of Headwall and The Lip (http://timefortuckerman.com/gifs/tucks20030418blarge.jpg)

View Close Up of Left Gully (http://timefortuckerman.com/gifs/tucks20030418blarge.jpg)

View Close Up of The Chute and Center Ravine (http://timefortuckerman.com/gifs/tucks20030418dlarge.jpg)

View Close Up of Hillmans Highway (http://timefortuckerman.com/gifs/tucks20030418elarge.jpg)

View Close Up of Gulf of Slides (http://timefortuckerman.com/gifs/tucks20030418flarge.jpg)

[skicdave]

So here we are back from one of the best days ever in Tucks. 55+ degrees in the bowl, no wind, the clouds burned off by 11:30pm and a great crowd.

Due to the early morning being socked in, the Son of Inferno race was held on Hillmans.

The Tuckerman Ravine Trail was slush covered pretty much from the get go with some early morning ice patches. Crampons were not necessary.

Everything still has good cover except the headwall. Few crevasses to worry about.

Little headwall is suffering but still do-able for end of day ski-out.

Sherburne is only open the top 1/3 and burning up fast.

Highlights: guess the naked skier was #1 (of course he was fined whatever it is.. $250 or so. Guess I'll have to post the video when I get back. There was the usual sliders and numerous wipeouts up in the Chute.

The main highlight however had to be the weather. So balmy, shorts, tee's and topless skiers abound. The lunch crowd bunch enjoyed a good tan and windless day. :cool:

Now Sunday is supposed to be 60-65 degrees so definately not a day to be missed. Definately shorts and tees for another day.

Nuff for now. Will post photos and videos Monday or Tuesday.

Cheers

[M@]

Nice weekend choice Dave! Sorry we couldn't stop by at your condo... we we're at a heightened state of parenthood.

Any idea why there were so many guards-man around? Saw a couple guys with guns at the start of the race, and the hummer and the helicopters all over. I bet the helicopter got some great shots of the bowl. I guess it was a "Ravine-Change." Get it? Regime/Ravine...

BTW: The lean-to spaces were full at 6:15am sat.

M@

[pscopa]

Hey Dave,

Was there Saturday too. I agree the naked skier was one of the highlights of the day, aside from the sun coming out and the fog dissipating.

First time I was up there on a weekend and my first Son of Inferno race. A lot of people up there but did't think the crowd was all that bad. Certainly made for an interesting day.

I think I saw you in the Ravine Saturday from a distance. If you had your hat on it must have been you.

Look forward to seeing your new video.

Paul

[ILOVE2SKI]

Nice pics

[robbbd]

great weekend! great crowd. please no more closeups of the naked guy. got to watch my son (16) ski the chute. not only did I make a few runs on skis, but came down on my back a couple times also. how bad will the crevaces be next weekend? hope to do it again soon. can't wait to see some pics from saturday. Rob.

[skicdave]

Yes Paul, that probably was me. I was up to the right of the Lip for a bit, then headed over to my favorite spot up in The Chute.

Didn't go over to see the Inferno (was held on Hillmans again this year), but did zoom in for a few photos and video.

Hung out in North Conway Sunday. It was ever warmer than Saturday and sunny even (65+ I think).

The helicopter (Black Hawk) was over by Boot Spur doing an evac. Apparently someone slipped on some ice.

As we passed the Boot Spur link on our way down the Tuckerman Ravine trail, we ran into the army (about 12 of them). Either then were doing a bit of trainer, or just making an appearance for security purposes... we're not sure.

Two in our group skied Wildcat Sunday. 2 lifts and about 15 trails. Must be really suffering now with this heat wave.

[saxman]

Yet ANOTHER bad call by the Saxman. Just goes to show, no matter what all the weather says, it can prove you wrong, both ways. Very sorry to not have made it. /s.m.

[Skilasnow]

Take heart saxman... you are SO not alone. At least I had a nice weekend ... eating!

[skicdave]

Golden rule for Tucks...

Follow your heart and don't believe the weather boys.

To help out, visit my Weather Forecast (http://timefortuckerman.com/weatherforecast.html) page to check things out. If your not happy with the results, simply press your browsers REFRESH button to gamble on better weather.

[skicdave]

Finally have photos from Saturday Apr 19th. See link up top of the main Message Board (http://timefortuckerman.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi).

Don't have all the captions updated yet, but shortly.

Videos are next.

[M@]

Nice pix! Excellent camera, and good use of zoom/depth of field stuff.

M@

[north reading jim]

What a guy!! Dave, you are the man!!! Give credit where credit is due, NICE job behind the camera. Your recent photos are wonderful. I especially liked the one you posted on the main site...capturing the ascent. It's just what I’ve been looking for to send to my buddy in Florida. He’s got the idea of tubing over the headwall.

You and your site make this all possible.
Thanks again Dave...

northreadingjim

[SkiStooge]

I hope that if he tubes the headwall he at least had the common sense to take the Gondola on the way up. I find it FAR too strenuous to ski Tucks having hiked it. It's always nice to have a ****tail and a nice meal at the Taco Bell at the top of Dodges. PLEASE, if your friend decides to tube the headwall, let me know when, OK? I'll QUIT my job if necessary to be able to see that. Have fun, be safe, Al

[skicdave]

Thanks Jim. I do appreciate all the feedback and ideas. It's my contribute to a special place.

Are you going to Tucks this spring? Probably only a few weeks of tubing left. Then again you could always bring skis!! :eek:

[skicdave]

I saw someone wipeout in Center Gully, just to the side of the exposed headwall on Saturday. What a nasty tumble over the rocks!! Thought for sure they would have been messed up good, but alas, its always amazing to see people stand up after those falls and walk away. Somebody must be watching over us !