First time at Tucks

[Sugarloafer]

I'll be going to Tucks for the first time on Sunday (5/20) with my teenage children (we are all advanced/expert level resort skiers) and would like some advice from some veterans. I've read all about safety issues i.e weather,ice, avalanches, crevasses etc, but I would like specific advice on the following:
1)Identifying these safety risks. For example is it obvious where the crevasses are? I understand someone recently fell on one. Are there people that you can obtain this info from ?

2)What is the best time of day to get to the bowl?

3)Is it safe to leave your gear at lunch rocks, while you ski?

4)What are the safest runs for first timers ?

5)Any other advice to make this a safe and positive experience for my kids?

[RKelleyJr]

Sugarloafer:

I was up last saturday. It was great. My first suggestion if you are not overnighting it is to get an early start. Heading up the trail by 7:00 am gets you to the bowl by 10:00-10:30 and will allow some time for your batteries to recharge once you get up there.

The bowl still has a good amount of snow in it, as does hillmans highway(run near hermit lake shelters). Above the bowl on the upper part of the headwall it is going fast.

Watch for undermined snow downhill from exposed rocks. The rocks heat up in the sun and melt the surrounding snow. The runoff runs downhill below the snow. You can see some cracks where the undermined snow has faulted and settled. Also, anywhere you see open running water along the headwall...enough said.

Don't ever be afraid to ask the Mt. Washington Vol. Ski Patrol their opinion. The are usually hanging around where the trail enters the bowl (near the first aid cache) where thi huge boulder is (on the r.). They usually offer advice to those of us, like me, who have puzzled looks on our faces yet still don't ask. They know what is up.

It has never been a problem for me leaving gear at the rocks or even at HoJo's. There seems to be a level of mutual respect among tucks goers. Besides, anything you steal must be carried out as well (ha,ha).

Hillman's Highway (below bowl) and Left Gully (you cant miss left gully, deep channel curving up left side of bowl) offer the longest and steepest runs right now. The steeps down through the headwall are getting tricky at best. I personally steer clear of the right side where the waterfall is. It seems like the "sirens' song" to me. It looks so inviting, but there are deep cravasses and much undermined snow in that area. The Vol. Ski Patrol also winces when the see daredevils (dummies) in that area this late.

You really just need to get yourself up there to get the gist of it. Last year was my first year and I had no Idea what to expect. Now I plan on this being a yearly pilgrimage.

I'm sure others can offer more details, but this is some basic general info. Have the time of you life and I hope the weather holds out.

Do It Up!!!

-R

[New Hampster]

Have fun!
I was up there last Sunday. If you have any question of your safety, talk to ski patrol. They're more than willing to help out. Talk to lots of people. I've never met anyone rude up there so don't worry about talking to people. Have fun and be safe! Remember to watch out for crevasses... Anything that looks like a deep hole, steer clear http://timefortuckerman.com/ubb/smile.gif Talk to ski pat. before skiing. They'll tell you about what is the safest..