New Timer

[foxfloat]

Hi, going to be heading to Tuckermans sometime in April, I assume this is a good time? Wondering if it is open all week long or just the weekends??What time is a good time to begin the hike in the morning from Pinkam Notch and when should you head back down?? I have hiked from Pinkam in the summer, but never in the winter months any tips would be greatly appreciated. I did experience the weather conditions, and they do change very quickly.

Thanks

[skicdave]

Welcome to the board foxfloat!

Yup April is a good time, so is May. Tucks doesn't have 'open' dates or times. You need only check at the base (Pinkham Notch) as well as at HoJo's to determine the avalanche danger to assess the risk that day. Off course the weather can be a big deterent for any day...

The earlier you start up the better. For some that means 6am, for others 8 or 9am. Its up to you. On busy weekends the hike up on a warm sunny spring day will mean there are droves of people hiking up. On such days leave Pinkham before 8am... unless you want lots of company on the way up. Leave by 8am and you'll have your skis slung over you shoulder heading up the headwall for first run by 11am.

Typically the ravine starts emptying out after 3:30. Once the sun is out of view over the west side of Mt Washington, the ravine starts getting a tad chilly. Some choose to stay much longer.. with a select few hiking out by flashlight or staying overnight at Hermit Lake. If the Sherburne skiout is open you can leave the ravine later than if you have to hike all the way back down to Pinkham... agains depends when you go, weather etc.

If you are more a purist, and want tucks pretty much to yourself, chose late March, early April, mid week, but suggest you go with someone experienced.

If you're into the boisterous crowd that gathers in the spring (check some of the videos (http://timefortuckerman.com/videos.html) we have on the site), then pick a long weekend (pray for sun) such as memorial day weekend or the Canadian holiday weekend (Victoria day) the week before. Easter weekend even.

More info is available in many of the threads here on the board as well on the virtual tour (http://timefortuckerman.com/tuckerman1.html) .