Who's skied Central in HR?

[samthaman]

i've heard of this being done a few times, and its officially been added to my list. I had a few questions though. how big is that ice flow in the middle? how narrow is the gully now? is their fixed gear to rap the ice flow or should i bring some bail gear? any advice? any links to other tr's?

thanks in advance
sam

http://www.tuckerman.org/photos/huntington/images/2008-02-12%20The%20Fan.jpg

[Ispoiler]

By the time its in shape to ride, the bulge can be by passed on skiers left. Diagonal is a much better descent inmho. Corn snow will be your best friend, once the snow pack goes isothermic in the spring, it will be highly unlikely that the wind will scour out the snow from the top as is frequently the case in the winter.

[jumpturn]

Most people who have skied these ice climbs are probably not inclined to provide much info. These skiers are kind of like powder farmers and their woods, except they actually are extreme. :rolleyes: You can be sure there will be no line for any of these descents, and especially before the spring corn season. :eek:

Personally, I think it would be helpful to have topos and descriptions of the HR descents and let natural selection rule. ;)

Anyway, here are a few suggestions.


Carry full technical gear for a technical descent, ie, crampons, two axes, rope, ice screws, rock gear, etc.

Wait for the right conditions.

Do not fall.

Ski with an ice axe ready at hand.

Learn how to self-arrest with skis and/or an ice axe.

Assume any beta is not current, or wrong.

Climb the intended descent to ascertain current conditions.

Watch out for underlying ice on the descent, and especially as you approach rap points on skis.

When in doubt, break out the rope.

Learn how to make a V-thread.

If you survive, post glory photos right away! ;)



http://www.tuckerman.org/photos/huntington/images/2008-02-09%20Central%20with%20debris.jpg

[cbcbd]

I don't think I've ever seen a TR on it but it's still on my list. I was climbing in the ravines last spring when a guy skied central and a group did Diagonal.

The bulge is a lot softer in the spring and could maybe even be side slipped. The bulge steepens to about 50 degrees and should be about ~8' long? Really depends. You could probably huck it with little speed or just straight line it - especially in the spring it shouldn't be hard to shave off speed right after it.

There is no fixed gear above the bulge that I can think of.

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a399/ourbuddies/hike/whites0128/IMG_1667.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a399/ourbuddies/hike/whites0128/IMG_1678.jpg

Just above the bulge - two guys on the right side right before the bulge
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a399/ourbuddies/hike/whites0128/IMG_1679.jpg

Higher up looking down
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a399/ourbuddies/hike/whites0128/IMG_1685.jpg

[RR]

Nice Pix!

Reps :cool:

[samthaman]

seriously nice pix, were you skiing that day or just climbing? it looks like you had pow

edit: if that bulge is only 8-10 feet i have no problem hucking it, for some reason i had it in my head that it would be 25-30

[Ispoiler]

If you huck it, controling speed on the out might be a big issue. At my last visit to the area in ski mode, the bulge was not an issue. PM me with your email addy and I will send you some pics. Use at your own risk, the above sugestions are spot on regarding technical skills that should be second nature before attemping a line such as this.

[Phishing]

Got any photos of Raymond's in there? Never seen it done but heard the stories.

[cbcbd]

seriously nice pix, were you skiing that day or just climbing? it looks like you had pow

edit: if that bulge is only 8-10 feet i have no problem hucking it, for some reason i had it in my head that it would be 25-30
I was planning on climbing Central or Pinnacle (folks were already on it and another party waiting to go up) and skiing down the headwall... or Central. I set off a small slab in the gully and that kind of freaked me out:
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a399/ourbuddies/hike/whites0128/IMG_1684.jpg

...so I just tagged the summit, skipped the ravines taking Lion's Head down and skied the Sherbie on the way out. They had gotten ~2" of snow overnight and rating was at Moderate in Huntington. The going was tough - lots of powder. Probably would've been ok to ski that day, especially since I had booted up right up the middle and nothing big had released. But...
Next time I'll just wait for spring.

[RR]

a little freaked....oooohhhh yeah!

That would harsh my cool in a big way! Good call, skiing another day is always better!

Big vision...check
Bold plan....check
Not letting good sense get overwhelmed by hubris?
Priceless!

[samthaman]

...so I just tagged the summit, skipped the ravines taking Lion's Head down and skied the Sherbie on the way out. They had gotten ~2" of snow overnight and rating was at Moderate in Huntington. The going was tough - lots of powder. Probably would've been ok to ski that day, especially since I had booted up right up the middle and nothing big had released. But...
Next time I'll just wait for spring.

yeah i get the sense that Central is not an area with a lot of outs if it does decide to go, probably a good call.

[Badinfluence]

doesn't look all that bad certainly not as steep as these chutes.
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t258/badinfluence_photos/Scan10033.jpg

[RR]

Don't be fooled, Central is quite steep in the middle. The wind-up after the drop-in will rate a very high pucker-factor. I have not skied it, but I have been climbing on it. In addition to being an entertaining winter climb, it is a popular summer rock climb.

It is also a no fall zone due to the wall at skiers right and the serrated dropoffs on skiers left.

Just as an aside, there happened to be a crane parked outside the office when I came in. They were swapping one of the rooftop HVAC units on the building next door. It had an angle indicator attached to the boom. The indicator showed 68 degrees. That's only a few ticks steeper than the steepest bit of Central, provided my rock climber's recall is what it should be. I'm guessing here, but 50-55 degrees would be the average from The Fan to drop-in.

[Badinfluence]

cool RR. 68 is steep. 2nd st the couliar in the middle of the photo i posted is around 65. almost died on that.

i'm not the skier i used to be when i lived out in Wyo.:cry:

btw spectacular photos of central above posts

[jumpturn]

Don't be fooled, Central is quite steep in the middle. ... 50-55 degrees would be the average from The Fan to drop-in.
We gotta send PWDR8S (http://timefortuckerman.com/forums/search.php?searchid=163261) up there with his inclinometer! http://images.absolutepunk.net/images/smilies/Standard/rape.gif
Sounds like any fall or slide lands you in the talus at the bottom, ie potential for 1000-2000' falls with a sudden stop. http://images.absolutepunk.net/images/smilies/Standard/skull.gif http://images.absolutepunk.net/images/smilies/Standard/skull.gif http://images.absolutepunk.net/images/smilies/Standard/diggrave.gif

Might be worth picking up some body armor for that one! http://images.absolutepunk.net/images/smilies/Standard/idea.gif http://images.absolutepunk.net/images/smilies/Standard/viking.gif http://images.absolutepunk.net/images/smilies/Standard/jackoff.gif

I've seen a huge fall out of Odell's on the solo with the climber stopping at the top of the fan. http://images.absolutepunk.net/images/smilies/Standard/fly.gif If you get really lucky, like that guy, you get a concussion but don't break anything. http://images.absolutepunk.net/images/smilies/Standard/crutch.gif For sure, you ride out in a litter and feel like you were beaten over every inch of your body. http://www.absolutepunk.net/images/smilies/crazy.gif http://www.absolutepunk.net/images/smilies/celebrate.gif

[pulverschwein]

Killer pitchers of Central and wise words from all. My scariest coulie? - right here in Jerz ;) and not nearly as exposed - amora vida
http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p64/pulverschwein/amoravidatop.jpg
http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p64/pulverschwein/amoravidadown.jpg
http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p64/pulverschwein/amoravidadescent.jpg
http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p64/pulverschwein/amoravidabelow.jpg

My buddy Trav on one that's on my short list:
http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p64/pulverschwein/apocalypseback.jpg
http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p64/pulverschwein/apocalypseclimb.jpg
http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p64/pulverschwein/apocalypsetravis.jpg

[RR]

I'm far more likely to ski Diagonal before trying Central...but not until I've satisfied myself that I'm up to it by skiing Chute properly...that is, with grace and feeling.

All that done, I guess skiing Central would be a fine High Point of a career. Especially so if done well.

There is a certain couloir* that calls to me in eastern Canuckistan....if I can do that, I guess Central would be on in that case as well. JollyJ and SomeGood dropped that one....sickest descent I have witnessed....just as gut wrenching as watching the Vermin work out the sequences and then send Central Scrutinizer (V Grade? don't even ask!)

* you can see that couloir in here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kix_fQjv-Ro

[Badinfluence]

pulv that must be the backside of the Del water gap. ;)
great pics!

[samthaman]

pulv that must be the backside of the Del water gap. ;)
great pics!

dont tell the locals i told you this, but that was mountain creek backcountry

[pulverschwein]

Sorry for :hijack: ing, but while we're talking Central - instead of gully - here's the couloir in the Tetons my friends will be riding from about now til the end of April - not the lunatic line that Romeo marked in red (Talk is Cheap), but the slightly more manageable coulie right in the middle.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1358/575405171_4410be25cd.jpg

When I was out there two weeks ago, the mandatory exit was about 45' according to a guy who dropped it - at the end of a huge season (like 2 years ago), it gets down to about 15-20'.

Someday . . .

[samthaman]

a guy from tgr hit central last year early season when the exit air was around 100, as i recall he rang his bell pretty good.

[PWDR8S]

I'm far more likely to ski Diagonal before trying Central...but not until I've satisfied myself that I'm up to it by skiing Chute properly...that is, with grace and feeling.

All that done, I guess skiing Central would be a fine High Point of a career. Especially so if done well.

There is a certain couloir* that calls to me in eastern Canuckistan....if I can do that, I guess Central would be on in that case as well. JollyJ and SomeGood dropped that one....sickest descent I have witnessed....just as gut wrenching as watching the Vermin work out the sequences and then send Central Scrutinizer (V Grade? don't even ask!)

* you can see that couloir in here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kix_fQjv-Ro


After watching that vid, I'm stoked! Gotta get into shape! Auuugghhh! :rolleyes:

[RR]

After watching that vid, I'm stoked! Gotta get into shape! Auuugghhh! :rolleyes:I'm not smoking any cigars until I get there.... :doh:
well, not more than a very few ;)

Already up to 45 dyno-crunches, gotta get some more cardio impacting calesthentics going or I will be stuck on low angle (<46 degrees) again...ditto on the :rolleyes:

Stairs before lunch :unhappyhiker: ...but then I get to go to Spikes :D .....mmmmm...Veggie JunkyardDog w/curly fries.

[Ispoiler]

Better make them curlie yam fries!! A nice slow burning complex carb for all day energy!

[jumpturn]

Getting back on topic, here are some recent photos. http://images.absolutepunk.net/images/smilies/Standard/idea.gif

South Gully has good coverage but needs another layer of snow to stick to the old surface. Central is looking like it also has good coverage, but probably could also use some new snow. http://images.absolutepunk.net/images/smilies/Standard/worship.gif

Central Gully, Huntington Ravine, February 24, 2008.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3157/2289739489_b1f5dc264c_o.jpg

Central Gully, Huntington Ravine, February 24, 2008.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2144/2289739745_7a13ef3a39_o.jpg

Yuckster starting up South Gully, Huntington Ravine, February 24, 2008.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2046/2289739263_3bf4a3ae71_o.jpg

[yuckster]

Nice pics! In the pics, Central does look like it's got a mix of old and new surfaces. Your 12mp camera sees better than the naked eye...

[samthaman]

sweet thanks, it looks like we've got some new snow on the way, hopefully it'll fall and stabilize relatively soon.

[jumpturn]

I have been told that this death trap has been skied back in the day, but who knows. :skierpetrified: With the 36" of snow this week, photo 2 suggests that the line avalanched and/or the wind scoured it down to the ice. Note crown on top. Pretty dramatic difference! http://images.absolutepunk.net/images/smilies/Standard/skull.gif http://images.absolutepunk.net/images/smilies/Standard/skull.gif http://images.absolutepunk.net/images/smilies/Standard/skull.gif http://images.absolutepunk.net/images/smilies/Standard/diggrave.gif

Bermuda Triangle looking reasonably friendly, February 29, 2008.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3102/2307964257_cf31f02e2e_o.jpg

Bermuda Triangle not looking so friendly with the partially exposed underlying ice, March 3, 2008.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3131/2307964261_2bd107aae8_o.jpg

[samthaman]

where is this? why such a big deal to ski, the first picture doesn't look too bad at all.

[PWDR8S]

It's usually wind scoured and icy with no real safe route out. In other words.... it's sketch.

[jumpturn]

Picture 2 shows you what is underneath picture 1, after slide and/or wind action.

It also shows you that when it cuts loose, it cuts over the cliff, so you bite it!

That would be why pwdr8s calls it sketch. http://images.absolutepunk.net/images/smilies/Standard/skull.gif http://images.absolutepunk.net/images/smilies/Standard/skull.gif http://images.absolutepunk.net/images/smilies/Standard/skull.gif http://images.absolutepunk.net/images/smilies/Standard/diggrave.gif

This would be an example of a highly technical descent, probably somewhat comparable to what one might expect on some of the HR descents.

[jumpturn]

While we enumerating radical descents, here is one.

Either ski down the backside of Pinnacle Buttress or drop straight down from the rim to the traverse line above Odell's main ice fall. The traverse leads over a ridge, after which one can drop down the snow gully on looker's left of Odell's. Wonder if someone has done this one.

Alternatively, ski straight down Odell's and huck the looker's left ice flow. With warm temps and sun, it might even be possible to make some turns on the ice because it is pretty low angle.

Odell's and Central Gullies, Huntington Ravine, March 6, 2008.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2320/2314831467_b788f0ae92_o.jpg

Odell's Gully, Huntington Ravine, March 6, 2008.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3214/2315642192_062b72d2ed_o.jpg

[jumpturn]

Probably going to be moguls on this one pretty soon.... ;)

Central Gully from the base of Pinnacle Gully, Huntington Ravine, March 6, 2008.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2001/2314832379_d3653d3bc2_o.jpg

[jumpturn]

http://images.absolutepunk.net/images/smilies/Standard/skull.gif http://images.absolutepunk.net/images/smilies/Standard/skull.gif http://images.absolutepunk.net/images/smilies/Standard/skull.gif http://images.absolutepunk.net/images/smilies/Standard/diggrave.gif

Looking up Central Gully below the ice flow, Huntington Ravine, March 13, 2008.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3066/2332334830_062e476123_o.jpg

Looking up Central Gully, Huntington Ravine, March 13, 2008.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2042/2331507055_2f57880117_o.jpg

Looking up Central Gully near the Top, Huntington Ravine, March 13, 2008.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2052/2331507199_4a178d572b_o.jpg

Looking down Central Gully above the ice flow Huntington Ravine, March 13, 2008.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2366/2332335346_7e0fcb0175_o.jpg

[samthaman]

i had actually been thinking about odell's for some time, i wasn't sure what it would be like though so i figured i'd take a look at it when i went to HR.

[jumpturn]

Based on GPS calculations, the average angle of Central Gully between the mouth of Pinnacle and the top is 51.26º, which suggests that the section above the ice bulge is somewhat steeper if the top kicks back to 45º and the part from Pinnacle to the bulge is 45º.

[RR]

Based on GPS calculations, the average angle of Central Gully between the mouth of Pinnacle and the top is 51.26º, which suggests that the section above the ice bulge is somewhat steeper if the top kicks back to 45º and the part from Pinnacle to the bulge is 45º.The cornice in Left gives me the heebee jeebees when I look down it...but then I can see the lower angle terrain not far away, my heat slides back into my chest where it belongs and it's time to go....

But, Central ain't like Left at all! Looking down a few hundred feet to lower angle terrain :eek: my heart won't be in my throat...nope not a bit of it.... it will have leapt completely past that and will instead be enjoying an out of body experience! And then I will go back to Tux or Ariplane or Hillman's or GOS where I belong!

Krikey...that's unrelentingly steep (I have heard North of 56 degrees)!

Jumpturn, I hope it corns up nice before you have to head off to Chamo. Your recons and patience surely have earned a go at it!

[jumpturn]

... Jumpturn, I hope it corns up nice before you have to head off to Chamo. Your recons and patience surely have earned a go at it!
When you're climbing it Piolet traction in that middle section, skiing down it seems really abstract. IMHO, it's a really sick ski decent that probably warrants a rope or some kind of perfect conditions. The good news is the steep section is pretty smooth.

[jumpturn]

Jimmy Surette (http://www.GraniteFilms.com/bio.php) skiing the upper reaches of Yale Gully in Huntington Ravine on March 18, 2008, Photo: Mark Synnott (http://www.newhampshireclimbing.com/new-hampshire-climbing-guide.asp)
http://www.newhampshireclimbing.com/pageminder/yaleski.jpg (http://www.newhampshireclimbing.com/)

[RR]

cool!

[PWDR8S]

Nice find on the pic! Def cool!:cool:

[jumpturn]

Here are a couple TRs on descents of Central Gully: April 7, 2008 (http://timefortuckerman.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9710), April 19, 2008 (http://timefortuckerman.com/forums/showthread.php?p=110684&posted=1)

Allen dropping into Central Gully, Huntington Ravine, April 7, 2008.
http://www.uvm.edu/~selozier/central/IMG_6903.jpg

Ben styling on the steeps of Central Gully, Huntington Ravine, April 19, 2008.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3139/2427764238_46ff0d003e_o.jpg

Samthaman ripping on Central Gully, Huntington Ravine, April 7, 2008.
http://www.uvm.edu/~selozier/central/IMG_6882.jpg

Ben tackles the bulge on Central Gully, Huntington Ravine, April 19, 2008.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2064/2427764678_545c5abd29_o.jpg

Jumturn smokin' the lower Central Gully, Huntington Ravine, April 19, 2008.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3003/2426977747_21974a9c3a_o.jpg

[jumpturn]

Here is some video of Mark Synnott and Jimmy Surette skiing the ice bulge on Central Gully on March 18, 2008.

http://video.aol.com/video-detail/central-gully-skiing/385446790

[jumpturn]

Jimmy Surette getting started on Central Gully, Huntington Ravine, March 17, 2008.
http://www.newhampshireclimbing.com/gallery/77/central_dropin.jpg

Mark Synnott has more 2008 ski photos in Huntington Ravine (http://www.newhampshireclimbing.com/climbing-course.asp?ID=77&cat=12).

[RR]

Hey JT, thats a mighty fine collection. Reputably done!