TR: Tuckerman Ravine, NH - 4/26/08

[MaineSkiLady]

Q: What is Tuckerman Ravine?
A: (from https://www.tuckerman.org/tuckerman/history.htm)
Perched on the southeastern side of Mt. Washington is Tuckerman Ravine, a glacial cirque, small by the standards of higher mountains, that has an outsized reputation in the ski world. Attracting notice when skiing was young for the prodigious depths of its snowfields formed when winter winds sweep volumes of snow off the alpine lawns of Mt. Washington and funnel great accumulations into this cirque, Tuckerman Ravine would became a springtime mecca to skiers seeking to extend the ski season, and in the process would become the birthplace of what is today called extreme skiing.
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A disclaimer: yours truly did not make this journey, on order of physical therapist. Honorary Diva Dudes Mr MSL and Skenaj, however, most certainly did. What follows is their story:

Several thousand assembled on this bluebird day at the base:

Ready to climb!

Ascent to the base begins:

1800 ft ascent in 2 miles produces body heat:

Success! Arrival at the base (note sweat):

Last leg of the climb:

Ah, Tuckerman Ravine, in all its glory!

Party scene at "Lunch Rocks"

Hiking up the ravine pics to follow!

 

[vanhoskier]

Oh, look at that sky! What a perfect, perfect day! Looks like SO MUCH FUN! Can't wait to see more.......

 

[MaineSkiLady]

Part 2, Hiking the Headwall

View of Wildcat beyond the valley:

 

[Sheena]

Fantastic! How long did it take you guys to hike up?

Looks like a great day to be out.

 

[MaineSkiLady]

Fantastic! How long did it take you guys to hike up?

From parking lot to boot-up: 2.5 hrs. Mid-point stop at HoJo's, which is where the sign is - "Tuckerman Ravine Ski Area" - and where most take their photo-op/water break. After boot-up, then the serious uphill climbing begins.

 

[Pequenita]

That's a lot of Y chromosomes out there! Where are all the women??

What did the guys say about the conditions?

 

[MaineSkiLady]

Part 4 (no mistake---Part 3 would have to be the videos, which contain all the ski action, which have yet to be uploaded) - a few more, and the descent:

About 1,000 vertical ft climb to ski-down point:

Chillin out between runs:

Ascent #2:

Descent to base - this trail (Sherburne) was fully skiable to the base until last weekend:

It is skiable (moguls) to the halfway point right now:

After a day like that, why not lean on a (very altered) snow woman :

("Danger" signs all around "Olympia")

Short videos to follow, eventually, as Part 3. Thanks for viewing and hopefully enjoying photos of a day that had been anticipated for quite a few years!

 

[MaineSkiLady]

That's a lot of Y chromosomes out there! Where are all the women??

What did the guys say about the conditions?

Actually, there were quite a few. Have only had time to upload about half the photos, only a few of which are posted here.

 

[w.ski]

Thanks MaineSkiLady - these are fabulous pictures. Can't wait to see the videos. I have to ski vicariously now, no more skiing until next November:(

 

[MaineSkiLady]

Digress to TR Part 3

Something of hasty editing job, but for better or worse:
[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5OfuNMPMhQ"]YouTube - Tuckerman Ravine[/ame]

 

[ski now work later]

Very, very cool....

 

[Pequenita]

I had a dippy smile on my face as I was watching that! Thanks for sharing, MSL!

 

[Kiragirl]

yes, way cool, but I have to admit, I don't think there is any way I could climb up that.

 

[MaineSkiLady]

yes, way cool, but I have to admit, I don't think there is any way I could climb up that.

Sure you could! One step at a time. Liquidfeet just did it! ( ) Interestingly, there were at least as many car license plates from NY and NJ as there were from ME, MA, NH etc on Sat. A lot of people hike up to the base of the ravine just to spectate. It apparently was a VERY steady stream all day Sat up and down to the base, as well as up the actual ravine.

 

[Solincia]

awesome!!! It looks like they had a great time! very cool!

 

[w.ski]

I am so jealous. Wish I could do that.