Tuckerman weather question

[kcyanks1]

The TFT page gives a link to a weather forecast for Jackson, NH. How much should I adjust the temps downwards to get a decent estimate for temps at Tucks? Just trying to figure out how I should pack/intend to dress on Sunday. I'm only taking a small day pack, so I can't fit many extra layers in there. I was thinking a thin baselayer and then either a shell as a jacket or a jacket-like thing made out of the base-layer material, and skipping the normal jacket. For pants I was just going to wear nylon excercise pants.

[riverc0il]

Just look up Tuckerman Ravine, NH on NOAA for a point forecast. Mount Washington Obs has an autoroad temperature profile on their web page that is helpful. If you are unsure on how to pack, always better to have too much than too little. For 40-60, I usually have a long sleeve base layer, fleece, and wind breaker and ski pants for the bottoms though sometimes I wear shorts on the skin/hike up if it is warm enough. Parka/Jacket probably not needed if you have an appropriate three layer system from my experience but everyone has different layering needs.

[David Metsky]

Keep in mind that if you get hurt you'll be hanging around there for a long time. A little extra clothing can be a nice safety measure, plus a couple of liters of water, etc.

[kcyanks1]

Thanks for the tips. I was probably going to dress a little light, it seems. Can you refill water at Hojos or anywhere along the way? For the forecast, should I go to http://www.nws.noaa.gov/? That doesn't seem to be working when I look up "Tuckerman Ravine".

[andyzee]

Originally Posted by kcyanks1

Thanks for the tips. I was probably going to dress a little light, it seems. Can you refill water at Hojos or anywhere along the way? For the forecast, should I go to http://www.nws.noaa.gov/? That doesn't seem to be working when I look up "Tuckerman Ravine".

Yeah, they have water about 100yds from hojos

[David Metsky]

Yes, there's a pump at HoJos.

I use http://www.mountwashington.org/weather/ for weather forecasts. It's the most appropriate for Tuckerman.

[kcyanks1]

Originally Posted by David Metsky

Yes, there's a pump at HoJos.

I use http://www.mountwashington.org/weather/ for weather forecasts. It's the most appropriate for Tuckerman.

Thanks! I figure plan for something somewhere between the valley and summit forecasts, maybe closer to the latter? Looks like it'll be cool then.. Seems like valley vs. summit is a 20 degree difference on the high end, much bigger than I would've imagined.

[andyzee]

Originally Posted by kcyanks1

Thanks! I figure plan for something somewhere between the valley and summit forecasts, maybe closer to the latter? Looks like it'll be cool then.. Seems like valley vs. summit is a 20 degree difference on the high end, much bigger than I would've imagined.

Note: there's no rule of thumb for this, sometimes it's colder, sometime it could be almost the same, other times it's inverted and could actually be warmer on top. You should be prepared for anything. I've been there three time and on two of those occasions I had to strip off layers.

[kcyanks1]

Thanks. Is there any concern about hiking up the bowl in just ski boots (w/o any attachments)? I figure obviously I'll just use normal boots for the hike up to the base of the ravine.

[David Metsky]

You mean without crampons? At this time of year I don't think they're needed, but other people won't go up without them. If you have regular alpine boots I'm not sure most crampons will fit. Other traction devices (like Stabilizers and MicroSpikes) are not really appropriate for the Ravine.