weekend trip into tucks

[hobbit]

Hey guys first off i'd like to state that this forum is loaded with good information and along those lines I'd like to ask for some...

I've never been to tuckerman's ravine, I'm a snowboarder, and an AVID backpacker
however my knowledge of tuckerman's is limited as I usually (while just hiking) try to avoid it like the plague (i can't stand the crowds while just out hiking)

so as far as overnighting goes can you spend the night anywhere's else other than the pay for shelter??? is this enforced?
I'd like to backcountry camp somewhere's near the lunch rocks well away from the shelter


next question would be is it warm enough in mid may for a hammock? Or is the skiing or riding even still good there at that time (especially this year)


thanks in advance for the excellent advice:D

cheers and happy st patty's day

[M@]

Hey hobbit: Welcome aboard.

**NOTE - MY MISTAKES ARE CORRECTED FURTHER IN THE THREAD ***

I've only camped at the shelters and platforms at HoJos, and I highly suggest it - it's a great crowd. As far as other options, I believe there are several rules (I know - stupid rules)

No camping above treeline is one of them - i.e. you can't camp near lunch rocks... and you probably don't want to as the whole area is prone to rock/ice falls.

You can camp below treeline, but you have to be some distance from the trails - like 100 yards I think.

Another big rule is no camp-fires. I think this covers the entire "drainage area" meaning no matter where you camp near Tux you can't have a campfire.

I highly recommend camping at HoJo's - you've got rest rooms and fresh water (they installed a well + manual pump a couple years ago) I understand the desire to be away from crowds etc. Many years ago they let people camp where-ever and the area was rapidly becoming deforested. If you get a tent platform you'll be a good couple hundred yards from anyone else.

Hammock in mid may? Good chance it'll be okay - just watch the weather. There's usually plenty to ride in mid may in the ravine - but little chance you'll be able to ride the sherburne back to your car.

M@

[davidhowland14]

As far as I know, they only place you can camp on the entire Washington massif are the huts or Hojo's. I know the drainage is certainly off limits to camping, save @ Hojos.

[RR]

As far as I know, they only place you can camp on the entire Washington massif are the huts or Hojo's. I know the drainage is certainly off limits to camping, save @ Hojos.That's just the tip of the Icebrg.

The Randolph Mountain Club maintains a number of sites in the Northern Presis,shelter info here (http://www.randolphmountainclub.org/sheltersinfo/aboutourshelters.html).

There is also the Harvard Cabin between Ramond Cataract and Huntington Ravine, info here (http://www.harvardmountaineering.org/cabin.htm).

[pulverschwein]

That's just the tip of the Icebrg.
You can also camp above treeline BUT there has to be > 2 ft of snow on the ground AND you can't do it in Cutler River Drainage, which includes: all of Tuckerman and Huntington Ravines, the Alpine Garden and East snowfields - basically the entire east side of Washington From Boot Spur all the way around to the Otto Road is off limits. Also, no fires and no camping on frozen bodies of water. Translation for purposes of riding tucks: follow M@'s advice and stay at Hermit Lake. If you're worried about crowded shelters, the tenting sites there are quite nice and private. Enjoy.:)
www.fs.fed.us/r9/forests/white_mountain/recreation/camping/backcountry_rules_2006-07.pdf

[hobbit]

yeah it would be kind of nice to stay at the shelter but I really enjoy just hanging with my friends

also when I say hammock I mean backpacking hammock so it has a tarp and everything but if its snowing like crazy its not my first choice but hopefully that won't happen mid may... basically we (small group trip me and 2 friends) want to go up and take one run down the whole thing then just session a small jump over a rock or something just to say good bye to winter and enjoy the spring

i definitley don't intend to start a fire anywhere... i just want to know if its chill if i slip into the woods off the trail somewhere, hang my hammock, cook my food (personal stove not a fire) and sleep

How far is the hut from tucks itself?


and do you think it will still be real nice mid may?

thanks again guys keep the advice rolling in:snowboarding:

[DMC]

I think it's against the law to camp in anything but the shelters in the whole Tucks area...

[pulverschwein]

i just want to know if its chill if i slip into the woods off the trail somewhere, hang my hammock, cook my food (personal stove not a fire) and sleep
From a regulatory perspective, anywhere within striking distance of tucks, no it's not. Is it possible? I suppose, but there's an awful lot of traffic in the springtime, including WMNF rangers and many other folks who hope peeps will abide by the regs.
How far is the hut from tucks itself? 1/2 mile, prolly 500 vert to base of the bowl - 20-30 minute hike. It is also, without a doubt, the closest place where you'll find a couple nice trees to hang your hammock, cook your food and sleep. Any closer to the bowl and you won't find any trees big enough to hang your hammock on, you may be in avy / icefall prone areas, you'll damage fragile alpine environment and/or you'll be discovered by those reg enforcement peeps.
do you think it will still be real nice mid may?
Yes, I do. Skiing wise: maybe / maybe not. Weather wise: maybe / maybe not. Environment wise: yes, very nice indeed.

[hobbit]

I was under the impression that it was a much further hike than that!!!

yeah it looks like I will be hanging my hammock somewhere around the shelter thats definitley close enough

nice

yeah and I definitley don't want to sleep in a hammock in an avalanche zone!!!

I am sooooooo pumped for this trip now but I'm not wishing away the rest of my season... now I just can't get hurt from here till then

happy trails guys
thanx for the advice

any more is more than welcomed or stories about trips out there are also welcome

thanks again

[surf88]

I was under the impression that it was a much further hike than that!!!
This will give you a good perspective of where stuff is.
timefortuckerman.com/tuckermanravinemap.html