Summit Hike

[Ski_Free]

Ok so i've lived in this state all my life and I have recently been making trips up to tuckermans. I am hoping to spend some of my spring break this year up at the shelters. I was just wondering whats the best route to do a summit hike and possibly ski back down into the ravine. Even if I decide not to ski from the summit i still want to hike it and would appreciate any tips, tricks, hints, or advice. It'll be mid-march when i go up :) .

[pulverschwein]

If you're going from Pinkham, the Tuckerman trail to Lion Head is a well-marked and relatively safe ascent / descent w/ proper equipment (axe and crampons). Check with the rangers @ Pinkham / HoJos for current avi info. The problem with going up this way and possibly skiing down is that you will not have the opportunity to examine ski conditions in the ravine from close up. But, if sliding is not on the agenda, I would recommend this route.

If you are skiing, you can ascend any of the numerous routes in the ravine, see what conditions are like and identify hazards on the way up. Conditions permitting, right gully is not as steep as the lip, headwall, sluice or left gully. Hillmans, to the south of the bowl, is definitely not as steep, but makes for a long and fully exposed hike if you plan on summitting. Make sure you have current avi info and are prepared to abort / modify your plans as conditions require.

[RR]

I second that!

[Sledhaulingmedic]

Get's my vote...just hike up what you'll ski down!

(Not to painfully restate the obvious...)

[JayTux]

If you hike up the Lion Head wintern route with skis, be careful at the beginning because you are in the trees and there are a lot of low branches, though that should be avoidable with an A frame technique with the skis...

And know what its going to be like when you ski down...(sorry but I had to add that)

:)