About Time I asked...

[redalienx11]

Ok I've lurked for a while and have been in anticipation of hitting Tucks ASAP. I still have some questions.

Is it too late? I know there's been some recent snow...but would this weekend just be a waste of time?

Do I need a pack that holds skiis?

Do I need an ice axe?

How many runs can I get in a day?

Thanks for listening.

[elwood]

Ok I've lurked for a while and have been in anticipation of hitting Tucks ASAP. I still have some questions.

Is it too late? I know there's been some recent snow...but would this weekend just be a waste of time?
I'll be there this weekend, as well as some others from this board.

Do I need a pack that holds skiis? It really helps. I wouldn't want to carry my skis up...

Do I need an ice axe?
Not a necessity, but it helps. Do you have ice axe experience?

How many runs can I get in a day?
I would shoot for one or two on your first trip. Don't overwork yourself.

Thanks for listening.
You're welcome... :)

[M@]

What Elwood said: Except the pack thing


Do I need a pack that holds skiis?

You really do want to carry you skiis on your pack, but you don't need a pack designed to hold skiis. Neither of mine are. Any hard-frame or semi-hard-frame pack with the compression straps on the sides will work fine. Make an A, and here's the secret - use duct tape to hold the tips together... and bring the rest of the roll up with you.

M@

[elwood]

...and bring extra beer, I'll be thirsty! :)

[Justin]

and learn how to "take-care of the care-taker" ;)

[JayTux]

Ok I've lurked for a while and have been in anticipation of hitting Tucks ASAP. I still have some questions.

Is it too late? I know there's been some recent snow...but would this weekend just be a waste of time?

Do I need a pack that holds skiis?

Do I need an ice axe?

How many runs can I get in a day?

Thanks for listening.

Yeah elwood pretty much covered it all. You'll want to hit Left Gully or something over there because of the icefall, but talk to the rangers first, they know everything. Defiantly attach your skis to your pack, carrying them up STINKS SO MUCH!-yes i did it once. Ice axe, helpful, but not 100% necessary, probably 1-2 runs. Remember you'll probably be hiking out the whole way.

Take the :camera: !

Have some fun!

:)

[awf170]

im going un for my first time saterday 2!, hopefully

[redalienx11]

Crampons?

Camping out.... Not enough $$$ for a m/hotel so what are my FREE (or under 10$) options? (sleeping in the car?)

Reccommended Route?... Im an expert skiier..but not looking to be too dangerous.

Thanks again :)

[DMC]

Crampons?

Probably wont need them... If you got 'em - maybe bring 'em

Camping out.... Not enough $$$ for a m/hotel so what are my FREE (or under 10$) options? (sleeping in the car?)

Car

Reccommended Route?... Im an expert skiier..but not looking to be too dangerous.

Left Gully - Hillmans Highway - Bowl





Enjoy !!!

[JayTux]

Crampons?

Camping out.... Not enough $$$ for a m/hotel so what are my FREE (or under 10$) options? (sleeping in the car?)

Reccommended Route?... Im an expert skiier..but not looking to be too dangerous.

Thanks again :)

DMC's advice is perfect. Car is cheapest, cant think of anything sub 10$.

Crampons: Bring them just incase, if the snow hasnt thawed for some reason, or just because climbing up the first time can be pretty scary, at least on the Lip.

Route: Left Gully looks best, nice and long with good coverage, otherwise best route would be Hillmans.

Welcome!

:)

[Skilasnow]

yeah, what they said.

Crampons is a sticky question: If you have used crampons before, bring them, but if you have no experience with them... they might give you confidence to go higher than you should because the climb may be too easy. I think the scariness of your first boot ladder climb is a key element to assessing how high you can go.

You say you are an expert skier, I have no reason to doubt that, but Tucks, at its craziest cannot compare to ANYTHING liftserved in the east, and we mean NOTHING!!

And bring a pack that you can attach skis too, mine aren't designed for skis, but I always attach them somehow.

[redalienx11]

OK I'm pretty excited about this thanks for all the input...

ONE last question- Where should we park the car if were gonna sleep in it? I have a feeling it would be a bummer to get a ticket for illegal overnight parking...

Woooooo I'm psyched!

[Affix Snow]

OK I'm pretty excited about this thanks for all the input...

ONE last question- Where should we park the car if were gonna sleep in it? I have a feeling it would be a bummer to get a ticket for illegal overnight parking...

Woooooo I'm psyched!

Ive heard the Wildcat parking lot works for sleepin'....but im not positive.

Have fun anyway...Ill be up on saturday too.

[JayTux]

You can supposedly do it at Wildact, especially seing as they are closed for the season. People sometimes do it at Pinkham, but you'll want to park at the opposite end of the parking lot, where people are less likely to spot you.

You could also hike up to a shelter. I dont think those cost anything, but I'm not positive.

Take PIcs! I want a TR!

[DMC]

You can supposedly do it at Wildact, especially seing as they are closed for the season. People sometimes do it at Pinkham, but you'll want to park at the opposite end of the parking lot, where people are less likely to spot you.

You could also hike up to a shelter. I dont think those cost anything, but I'm not positive.

Take PIcs! I want a TR!

Shelters cost money...
Park your car at Pinkham Notch.. Be mellow.. Dont call attention to yourself by blasting tunes or partying..
You should be OK...

[M@]

Crampons: Bring them if you have them. Don't buy them just for TUX.

Shelters: You have to register and pay, and you'll need some camping stuff for a comfortable trip.

There's another sleeping in the car option: Up the road from Pinkham is Barnes Field, which is an "honor system" type paying deal... Huckasaur can tell you more, but that'd be a legal sleep in the car option. But if you're not gonna be up all night partying, pinkham notch parking lot, way on the end is fine.

M@

[RR]

...Is it too late? I know there's been some recent snow...but would this weekend just be a waste of time?Hell no...we have a month's more excellent skiing, probably longer.
Do I need a pack that holds skiis?Not really, but having your hands free make your poles more useful on the boot ladder.
Do I need an ice axe?In full Winter, yes. In March, it could be handy as it would be in April and anytime you crampon up because it's still slick and hard.
How many runs can I get in a day?If you are really fit 4 or more. Most folks get 1 and lots of them get 2. Many folks get 3, but just hanging out is so cool only the very dedicated get more.

Thanks for listening.
Thanks for asking!

[PWDR8S]

Just heard the latest on temps for the next 4 days.... It's gonna get cold! I'm talking 40-50's with wind chill in the 30's and below in the valleys daytime temps....nights near or below freezing. Crampons might be useful because I think it's gonna be a bit crusty up there until the sun really bakes the snow.

Have fun!

EDIT: Here's a reliable weather report... Primarily for NE Kingdom in VT but does apply to NE in general. They do a great comprehensive report/forecast on Vermont Public Radio (VPR) 89.5 at 5mins after Noon everyday. http://www.fairbanksmuseum.org/eye_detailed.cfm

[redalienx11]

I think I;m gonna be alpine skiing instead of Telemarking because my skills are stringer in Alpine. I know for the hike up to the bottom of the ravine I shouldn't wear my boots, but do you guys think I should just keep my hiking boots on until I ski down, or should I switch at some point and hike a bit wearing my ski boots?
I would assume that I should just switch when I am ready to go down, but I read somewhere else that some people don't do that. Any thoughts? Thanks.

[Jolly J]

I think I;m gonna be alpine skiing instead of Telemarking because my skills are stringer in Alpine. I know for the hike up to the bottom of the ravine I shouldn't wear my boots, but do you guys think I should just keep my hiking boots on until I ski down, or should I switch at some point and hike a bit wearing my ski boots?
I would assume that I should just switch when I am ready to go down, but I read somewhere else that some people don't do that. Any thoughts? Thanks.
Wear your hiking boots up to the bowl, find a nice big rock, preferrably not under overhanging ice, grab a quick bite, some refreshment and switch to your ski boots. And continue your hike up in your ski boots. On the way back stop at the first aid cache on the Tucks trail there is another big rock there to switch back over to your hiking boots.

Have fun, take lots of pix.

[redalienx11]

WOW. That was sooooo awesome. TR & pics upcoming (hopefully)

Thanks for all the help!