In compairson How steep?

[NtrentT]

In compairson how steep is the headwall @ tucks?
The steepest Ive skiied which was a breeze was Ripcord at Mt.Snow. Ive been all over the east and havent found much steeper, Killington Mtsnow Jpeak, and so on.

So in compairson to the 61 degree pitch Ripcord has hows Tuck's Headwall?

Planning a trip in 04, CANT WAIT !!!

:iceaxe:

[Frankontour]

61 degrees ?? are you sure it's not 61% or so ?

If it's really 61 degrees, do you have a pic of this trail ? It's weird that I've never heard about it if it's so extreme. I'm very curious to see it.

[NtrentT]

Heres some info on Ripcord:
quote off of Ski Mag Website

Not sure on the pitch now ive seen different numbers now. I saw one sight that said 37 degrees.

Anyway its quite steep.
MT.snow VT.

"we're glad to be up, up and away and soon over the top-headed for the North Face, Mount Snow's hidden cache of bumped-up, certifiably scary steeps. "

"This annual amateur bump contest is located on Ripcord, the double-black diamond trail rated one of the steepest trails in the East by Skiing magazine"


I was looking for a compairson to Tucks?
Anyone know the pitch of the headwall?

[Castlerock]

37 degrees max for Ripcord, on the downslope of the steepest mogul.

If you go to the top on any of the bowl runs at Tucks, you will ski a section that will touch 50 degrees, most probably with a blind (convex) entrance. There is no comparison between any Eastern lift served skiing and Tucks. Frankly even Western lift served stuff doesn't have the impact of coming down things like the Chute or Center Headwall.

Don't miss Tucks this season, it will be a whole new level of challenge. After you ski it, you will consider yourself a different level of skier.

[Frankontour]

According to one book I think to buy soon (I saw it from a ski correspondent), the Chute tops at 55 real degrees. The others to reach the 50 degrees are Dodge's Drop, Pipeline and I think the Center Headwall. Honestly, I'm not sure for the other lines.

We actually have a big discussion on the steepness of the trails on FTO and I loss some illusions of steepness for many trails. 75% = just 37 degrees... and I can tell you that a 75% trail on a long distance is really really steep. So skiing 55 degrees on a big vertical should be completely crazy.

In the east, the Face Chutes of Jay are supposed to top at 70 degrees in some places, but it was not possible to take them, the 2 times I went there, so I don't know. "Avalanche" at Ski Denton (Penn) is supposed to reach 66 degrees, and there is even a little draw on their trail map with a real 66 degrees angle, but I guess it's just a very short pitch. Here, in Quebec, we have the Pins Rouges of Val Saint-Come which probably reach the 50-55 degrees with an average above 45 in my opinion, but it's just about 200-250' high (enough to die with a not so bad fall cause extremely rocky). The 1st big pitch of the Pirouette of la Réserve (see my personnal photo in my T4T profile) have an average close to 45 degrees, with sections I measured in the 60s, but it's just 150' high. The Chute Libre, again at La Réserve tops the 70 degrees, in a 80' drop off, but all that stuff is nothing compared to the vertical of the crazy runs of Mt Washington. (I used an inclinometer to measure Chute Libre / Pirouette) and for the Pins Rouges, judge it by yourself ;) (sorry for the low quality of the pic)

PR in summer (yes, it's a glade to add more challenge ;) )
http://www.firsttracksonline.com/discus/messages/2508/2638.jpg

Anyway, all that to say that it's impossible to do comparisons with Tucks and east pitches, because there is just no pitch as high & steep as the ones of Tucks !

[Lftgly]

N, it's been a few years since I skied Ripcord, but I remember there's a pitch near the top that's pretty steep. Castlerock's right, Ripcord might make the top-10 for steepest lift-served trails in NE, but it's still a notch below the 50+/- degree pitches in Tucks and thereabouts.

If you're comfortable skiing down Ripcord, you're ready to ski down Tucks. Ever hiked up Ripcord? I've always found the ascent an even bigger challenge than the run down; I'm fine once I get skis under my feet.

[NtrentT]

Thanks Guys, You have cleared up alot for me here.
I cant wait to go now. This whole site is fantastic, I am extreamly impressed with the community here.
Hope to see some of you there in April 04.

One more question.....
Im from CT so I plan on making this trip a 2nighter.
Drive up, Chill, sleep, get up early that morning and hike to tucks.
Ski back to car, sleep, get up early go home.

Is it worth saying in the AMC huts? How much I looked everywhere for the rates but I couldnt find any. And do I have to register with AMC when I hike to tucks, and does that cost money as well?

Thanks guys you all have been a great help.

[M@]

Unless you've winter camped before, stay close to the trail head in a hotel with a hot tub. Or Joe Dodge Lodge, do a search for that, it's the AMC lodging right at the trail head.

If you've got the 20deg bag, and a stove, the len-to's are the way to go. Wake up with leisure, and hike 1/4mile to the base of your first run.

That's my way. And that's the way I do everything.

M@ :ducttape:

[Skilasnow]

NtrentT:
In compairson how steep is the headwall @ tucks?
The steepest Ive skiied which was a breeze was Ripcord at Mt.Snow. Ive been all over the east and havent found much steeper, Killington Mtsnow Jpeak, and so on.

So in compairson to the 61 degree pitch Ripcord has hows Tuck's Headwall?

Planning a trip in 04, CANT WAIT !!!

:iceaxe: check this thread (http://timefortuckerman.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=000529)

[RR]

Time to try Master Magician at Magic Mtn. Feels steep, looks steep..when my skis are out over the lip to bootfront, the headwall flattens out a bit 100 yards below, as my sightline reaches the ski tips (205cm)!

Maybe it's just the change from easy catwalk to sudden plunge....

[Jolly J]

Northern Peaks in Gorham is nice an cheap.

[M@]

Just ordered a:
http://store5.yimg.com/I/bentgatemountaineering_1745_14860979
from
http://www.bentgate.net/slopbylif.html

M@ :ducttape:

[DRPHIDDLEPHOS]

nice! magic archives!!! talesman anyone??? steeeeep and bumped up!! i have seen people :skierscared: crash and burn and flailing all the way down and jill came tumbling after! :disinfo: who the hell is this jill girl any way? :skifemcool:

[Mumster]

M@:
Just ordered a:
http://store5.yimg.com/I/bentgatemountaineering_1745_14860979 M@ :ducttape: M@ :ducttape: :
I tried ordering one of those a few weeks ago, but they were out of stock - they sent another one which seemed similar. The problem is the numbers are small making it hard to read.

[Skilasnow]

I think we should all have one and measure the steepest trails at every area we ski at next year, so that this discussion can have some final conclusions.

I just can't believe Ripcord is as steep as some say it is, even the nasty icy pitch at the top that sent me for a header into the woods last year. I felt kinda stupid after I dug myself out until I saw the next eight (8) skiers do the exact same thing all in a row like the Keystone Kops.

[M@]

Hey Mum:
They're still outta stock, wanna bump me up to the next model too. I guess I'll do it, I want one of these things, and am also getting a new compass with the order.

M@ :ducttape:

[Castlerock]

To add a bit more fodder for the "steepness" discussion, Goodman's guide's references to Tucks specifically, are quite accurate (albeit the aforementioned Great Gulf inconsistencies). And I think they convey the relative difficulties of the Tucks runs.

Appendix C of his book delves into the S rating system, as good as an attempt as any to quantify the challenge of the terrain. (And the associated buzz we get from skiing it!)

[RaceFace Rider]

I have not really ventured out to VT for skiing purposes yet, although I say I will every season. My mother used to be a part of the medical community in northern VT, where Jay was noted as being an exceptionally dangerous mountain based on the percentage of deadly and debilitating ski injuries that particular mountain sent to her emergency room. I'd really like to check it out...

Frankontour:
According to one book I think to buy soon (I saw it from a ski correspondent), the Chute tops at 55 real degrees. The others to reach the 50 degrees are Dodge's Drop, Pipeline and I think the Center Headwall. Honestly, I'm not sure for the other lines.

We actually have a big discussion on the steepness of the trails on FTO and I loss some illusions of steepness for many trails. 75% = just 37 degrees... and I can tell you that a 75% trail on a long distance is really really steep. So skiing 55 degrees on a big vertical should be completely crazy.

In the east, the Face Chutes of Jay are supposed to top at 70 degrees in some places, but it was not possible to take them, the 2 times I went there, so I don't know. "Avalanche" at Ski Denton (Penn) is supposed to reach 66 degrees, and there is even a little draw on their trail map with a real 66 degrees angle, but I guess it's just a very short pitch. Here, in Quebec, we have the Pins Rouges of Val Saint-Come which probably reach the 50-55 degrees with an average above 45 in my opinion, but it's just about 200-250' high (enough to die with a not so bad fall cause extremely rocky). The 1st big pitch of the Pirouette of la Réserve (see my personnal photo in my T4T profile) have an average close to 45 degrees, with sections I measured in the 60s, but it's just 150' high. The Chute Libre, again at La Réserve tops the 70 degrees, in a 80' drop off, but all that stuff is nothing compared to the vertical of the crazy runs of Mt Washington. (I used an inclinometer to measure Chute Libre / Pirouette) and for the Pins Rouges, judge it by yourself ;) (sorry for the low quality of the pic)

PR in summer (yes, it's a glade to add more challenge ;) )
http://www.firsttracksonline.com/discus/messages/2508/2638.jpg

Anyway, all that to say that it's impossible to do comparisons with Tucks and east pitches, because there is just no pitch as high & steep as the ones of Tucks !

[RaceFace Rider]

Well, you can find impossible steeps in the east, but Tuck's is just so long and sustained steep, and open so you can SEE your possible doom...

SkiLasLeñas:
I think we should all have one and measure the steepest trails at every area we ski at next year, so that this discussion can have some final conclusions.

I just can't believe Ripcord is as steep as some say it is, even the nasty icy pitch at the top that sent me for a header into the woods last year. I felt kinda stupid after I dug myself out until I saw the next eight (8) skiers do the exact same thing all in a row like the Keystone Kops.

[Frankontour]

RaceFace Rider:
My mother used to be a part of the medical community in northern VT, where Jay was noted as being an exceptionally dangerous mountain based on the percentage of deadly and debilitating ski injuries that particular mountain sent to her emergency room. I'd really like to check it out...
Interesting, but most of the accidents happen on the groomed trails, normally, no ? We got 5 deads this year, in Quebec. This is the kind of trails where they happened :

Tremblant : intermediate groomed trail
Orford : advanced groomed trail (± not groomed for the side where the accident happened)
Sainte-Anne : advanced groomed trail
Montjoye : Snowpark (somehow groomed ;) )
Bélu : intermediate trail (I think groomed)

A huge part of the accidents also occur in the easier places, so I'm not sure if the fact there is more accidents in a ski area vs another one is due to the difficulty of the trails.

[Frankontour]

SkiLasLeñas:
I think we should all have one and measure the steepest trails at every area we ski at next year, so that this discussion can have some final conclusions.
Well, I began it today, putting my life in peril for you, going to La Réserve and Val Saint-Côme, in Lanaudiere, which are the 2 steepest ski areas in the province (and just separated by 25 miles) and some of the steepest lift-serviced ski areas in the east.

You can look at what does mean steepness. Ok, it's not high like Center Headwall or so, but Damn, tough to believe we ski that with turns.

pic : 65 degrees measured : Middle part of the top pitch of Pirouette. The global pitch have an average of 42 degrees. The wooden part reach 55 degrees.

http://www.firsttracksonline.com/discus/messages/2508/2702.jpg

BTW, One of the main reasons why after the cliff, we prefer to go up a little bit on an edge is to avoid falling in that pitch with high speed ;)

The Chute Libre, also at la Réserve is steeper, but too much for doing turns. We must jump or follow edges.

I didn't measured the other sick trails of the mountain today.

At Val St-Côme, the Pins Rouges have an average over 43 degrees. I can't know exactly, cause from the top, even on some big rocks, it's impossible to see the last part which is over 50 degrees. So it must be about 45 degrees of average, on 215' high, with parts over 50.

The new impossible glade surely have some places over 45 degrees. The Avalanche drop off have 50 degrees, but it's very short (50' high).