AdironRider
Well-known member
- Joined
- Nov 27, 2005
- Messages
- 3,522
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So I finnally got to pop my Tux cherry today and man was it all I had hoped it to be. Woke up at the gf's place around 7 and checked the weather. Didnt look good, but the lack of consistency from report to report made me feel like the hour drive to Pinkham would be worth it.
From N. Conway past Jackson it poured, which was a major downer that early in the day, but I was determined to put at least some effort in, as this was my one shot this year to try Tucks. In a spot of amazing luck the rain let up maybe 1/2 mile away from Pinkham, good sign. I got the last parking spot in the lot, also a good sign, as I had heard stories of walking miles just to the trailhead. I didnt even bother to ask anyone, the hoards of people making the trip as well was enough to convince me it would be worth it. I was going to ride Tucks.
The hike up wasnt to bad, minus the fact I underestimated my physical conditioning greatly after 6 months of drinking team practice at St. Lawrence. Either way I made good time to Hojo's making the hike in about 1:20. I asked every single person walking down the trail how the skiing was, and didnt hear one bad word. I was pumped, my dream was becoming reality.
Arrived at Hojo's and talked to the Rangers. Snow was soft with alot of danger for icefall. The ski patroller I talked to after made it sound like you were going to die if you even wandered over to the right side but I think he was exagerating. I took the standard avy board picture and moved on.
I arrived in the ravine with the top half of the bowl stuck in a cloud. It was pretty cool as clouds had socked in below hojos so I was in maybe a 1000 vertical level of clear air. But within minutes the clouds cleared, and it was bluebird. So much for the rain all day tuckerman.org was forcasting.
I hiked up left gully in about 45 minutes. About 100 feet from the top a cloud rolled in with wind, probably gusting to at least 30 with small hail pellets. Talk about Mt. Washington weather. Made me feel that much cooler as it felt like a true mountaineering experience. Strapped in and got ready to make the plunge.
The first turn had my heart thumping but after that it was easily the best run of my life. The snow was perfect, not to choppy and super soft. Simply incredible. The run is really cool as the rock walls on either side narrow towards the middle. Made about 10 swooping carves downt the entire run and it was over. I let out a holler as I bombed down into the bottom of the bowl, hitting a little kicker that had been set up before. A great run indeed.
I only had time for one run as I still had to make it back home for Easter at my rents house and had to tie up some loose ends back home but I couldnt have asked for anything better. I took a ton of pics which Ill post up come Monday when I get back to school.
Moral of the story, Mt Washington weather upholds its reputation, you never know what your going to get. Get out there, theres still plenty of snow to rip.
From N. Conway past Jackson it poured, which was a major downer that early in the day, but I was determined to put at least some effort in, as this was my one shot this year to try Tucks. In a spot of amazing luck the rain let up maybe 1/2 mile away from Pinkham, good sign. I got the last parking spot in the lot, also a good sign, as I had heard stories of walking miles just to the trailhead. I didnt even bother to ask anyone, the hoards of people making the trip as well was enough to convince me it would be worth it. I was going to ride Tucks.
The hike up wasnt to bad, minus the fact I underestimated my physical conditioning greatly after 6 months of drinking team practice at St. Lawrence. Either way I made good time to Hojo's making the hike in about 1:20. I asked every single person walking down the trail how the skiing was, and didnt hear one bad word. I was pumped, my dream was becoming reality.
Arrived at Hojo's and talked to the Rangers. Snow was soft with alot of danger for icefall. The ski patroller I talked to after made it sound like you were going to die if you even wandered over to the right side but I think he was exagerating. I took the standard avy board picture and moved on.
I arrived in the ravine with the top half of the bowl stuck in a cloud. It was pretty cool as clouds had socked in below hojos so I was in maybe a 1000 vertical level of clear air. But within minutes the clouds cleared, and it was bluebird. So much for the rain all day tuckerman.org was forcasting.
I hiked up left gully in about 45 minutes. About 100 feet from the top a cloud rolled in with wind, probably gusting to at least 30 with small hail pellets. Talk about Mt. Washington weather. Made me feel that much cooler as it felt like a true mountaineering experience. Strapped in and got ready to make the plunge.
The first turn had my heart thumping but after that it was easily the best run of my life. The snow was perfect, not to choppy and super soft. Simply incredible. The run is really cool as the rock walls on either side narrow towards the middle. Made about 10 swooping carves downt the entire run and it was over. I let out a holler as I bombed down into the bottom of the bowl, hitting a little kicker that had been set up before. A great run indeed.
I only had time for one run as I still had to make it back home for Easter at my rents house and had to tie up some loose ends back home but I couldnt have asked for anything better. I took a ton of pics which Ill post up come Monday when I get back to school.
Moral of the story, Mt Washington weather upholds its reputation, you never know what your going to get. Get out there, theres still plenty of snow to rip.
