Need clarification on the "hicking boots" thing.

[osudrunk]

I plan on coming up to Tuckman this friday and I need to address the "hicking boots" thing. I saw a message or response to a message about someone saying it would be a good idea to bring hicking boots. Why would you use hicking boots rather than snowboard boots or ski boots. I've hicked 2 hour up 2000" in ski boots without much struggle compared to the reward. I thought the trail up tuckman would be boot packed snow. Is there alot of rock in the trail? I'm thinking the hicking boots is a bad suggestion seeing as your ski or board boots would be frozen by the time you reached the top. Is there something I'm missing here?

[skicdave]

I can't imagine hiking up a beaten path for almost 3 hours in ski boots... slipping for one, plus you'd be dead from all that weight on your feet plus sore ankles. Snowboard boots wouldn't be much better. Try walking around town for 3 hours in ski/snowboard boots then try again in hiking boots... which was easier? I'd rather have a much easier hiking and save my energy for the actual skiing/riding in the bowl.

April the path is packed snow and icy spots. By late April, early May its a combination of a rocky path part way then slush and snow. By mid May its basically a 2.5 hr hike up a rocky path to the base of the bowl (lunch rocks). From here you convert to your ski/snowboard boots and hike up the slopes you will ski/ride.

A few trail photos...
http://timefortuckerman.com/gifs/trail000422-5.jpg
http://timefortuckerman.com/gifs/tucker9.jpg


I suggest you hike in hiking boots and ski in ski boots the way god intented.

Dave

http://timefortuckerman.com/gifs/hiker1sm.jpg

[nate]

going up something in ski boots isnt bad if its steep like the bowl. but hiking up the trail would be a real *****.

[notjustanotherboarder]

osudruck,
You're right; I've always "hiked" in my snowboard boots in the BC except on one trip. If you're boots fit and are of good quality, i.e. good sole & inner and are truly waterproof, it’s not a problem. Plus, its sucks to carry the extra weight. I even hiked up once @ TR with hard boots (in January). That was no a problem. But there was a snow pack all the way up. If it were icy, I assume that I would have had problems. .

[osudrunk]

Thanks for the replies guys. Notjustanother boarder, I appreciate the support. I could very well be wrong as I've never been to Tucks, but if the trail is snow packed or even mostly snowpacked I'm going with the ski boots. It's very hard for me to imagine skiers and boarders strapping their boots to their back packs and hicking up a snowy trail with hicking boots. My boots would add 12-15 pounds to my back pack alone. I can understand how someone with limited experience hicking in the BC might see hicking in ski boots as painful and overexerting(as did I when I first moved to Jackson Hole 3 years ago). However, it actually gives you a better fitting boot after smashing down the insoles from a 2 or 3 hour hike. I've hiked 2 hours+, 50 or 60 times in my current boots and I now have the perfect fit. Although I admit I could be wrong. I'll have to check out the situation when I get up to Tucks. One more quick question, any suggestions on shelter at Tucks. I'd really like to get a room or bed in a dorm room, but I'm bring my tent in case I have to settle for a platform. I know there are a couple of shelters at Tucks, but which would be the least crowded during the week nights, and best bet to get a room or bed rather than a tent platform?

[someguy]

I'll keep my eyes open for the guy hiking up the trail in ski boots - this should be pretty funny. There are two parts to Tuck's - the lower part (like any other hiking trail) and the bowl where you will be hiking in your ski boots. Don't skimp on equipment because it might weigh you down - do it the right way or you will regret the trip.

[skicdave]

See my post... http://timefortuckerman.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/000105.html .

Dave

[notjustanotherboarder]

Ooops! Soory osudrunk... my mistake I ended up editting your comment instead of posting a new one (deleted it).