Winter Tucks....

[Bannick]

So having yet to make the trek to Tucks for some turns myself (I am living off of the the stories and excitement generated by all of you), I see that most of this site is deicated to the spring when the avi danger is consierably lower. That being said have any of you ever made the trek in winter? I have read some accounts on other sites but I am curious for some first hand accounts. With some training and awarness treks into the winter back country can be unbelievable. I have done some back country riding out west but only after talking to patrolers to ensure it was "safe".

B :snowboarding:

[DMC]

I've been up in March and it's COOOOOOOLD!!!

I usually wait until the weather gets nice - but every years I push to go earlier and earlier... There's just so many more options on lines...

If your going early - which I recommend - maybe get a guide if you've never been.. Also take an Avalanche Training Class at Pinham Notch.. Get the avi gear(tranceiver-probe-shovel-snowkit)..
use it - practice with it...

[NHski]

I was up there in January for a avy course, and went up a few times in February just to check it out, I only skied the sherburne. It is a good workout just to skin up. It is very cold, especially last winter, when we had that string of bitterly cold weather. I did get to ski GOS in early march, and that was a blast. This year I plan on skiing it all winter long. I have taken an avy course, read books and have practiced some of the skills needed to go in winter. A guide (chauvin guides is good) is a smart idea.

[DMC]

NHski:
I was up there in January for a avy course, and went up a few times in February just to check it out, I only skied the sherburne. I can't wait to skin up Sherburne on my splitboard next winter.. Very stoked...

[NHski]

in the avy course i took, somebody had a split board. It was very cool. I do not board, but boarders must be stoked that they now have an option of skinning. Sure beats snowshoes.

[DMC]

And the skins I got for it are wall to wall carpeting - so I can do mad climbs with them...

Either I got the splitboard or my friends(most who tele) would blow me away... :)

[Bannick]

ya the split boards rock. I still drudge in the backcountry on snowshoes. The splits were relatively new when I was living out west.

So DMC Is it new or have you used it before?
hardboot setup? I have been looking into them. What about flex and all that?

B

[DMC]

It's a demo stock board - hardly been used... Except by me at the end of last winter... :cool:
Got it right before my friend stopped doing Burton Demos..

It's a Burton Custom... I use soft boots... The binding plate setup makes the board stiff but I don't really feel it in POW that much.

http://www.powderhound.org/2003/OBHunter_03-08-03_SplitBoard.jpg

[TheOctopus]

Have only skiied the Sherburne in the winter, but I've done some winter hiking on the Rockpile (Winter Lionhead Route). Expect brutal cold, extreme wind, no visibility, and elevated avi danger.

Here's a TR of my forrays: http://www.angio.net/~reagan/mitoc-wash.html

I would love to ski something other than the Sherburne or GOS trail in winter, but I'd need a heckuva lot more experience (avi -- not skiing) than I've currently got....

[Frankontour]

Hmm, I think I will let Lftgly reference his own reports now, but for this time, here is his trip of St. Pat's day, this year

http://www.firsttracksonline.com/discus/messages/2508/2067.html?1048036918

real nice pix !!

[RR]

Late February and early March have the sweetest powder in the Ravine. Unfortunately, the natural consequence is avalanches pretty much every day and sometimes the same slide will let go a few times on the day.

Running it out in the sluffs is exciting, but risky. Don't fall, or buried and imobile you could be. A bailout traverse is likely to make a really wide slide, never good...so running straight or on a slight angle is better. Good thing the headwall is fairly short and that there's a long runnout on the ravine floor.

[skibum]

I have been in December and February - the temps were cold and the wind was blasting. I ventured into areas considered safezones but not able to ski.

I managed to catch the Sherburn both trips with 6+ inches of new snow, 2 of the best runs I have ever had.

I'm hoping to go several times this winter in hopes of catching skiable conditions on little headwall. I have a fantasy of just hanging out, making multiple runs to work on my technique.

As most of you - I am ready for winter now. Bring it on!

[bfast]

Tuck's is always a danger any time of year. However, besides the safer ski time in spring, many winters have one or several periods of "spring fever" where it warms and the snow settles into a low (safest) avalanche condition. It,s possible a brief cornsnow-like condition can happen if a long warm spell(week) occurs.Being New England anything can happen.
Mid-winter skiing can be done but it is expedition-like generally(more gear & risk)and you have the cold to deal with.Find a backcountry alternative for midwinter to be safe.It won't be bowl skiing but there is some small cliff-faces and smaller gullys, narrower yet nicely pitched drainages that can be discovered to ski that's safer.