Tuckerman Ravine Prep

[Breeze]

Commentary from the bleacher seats " across the street" while I was on the time clock today...

Tuck's was Nuts. By 7:30 AM there were cars lining both shoulders of Rt 16. By 8 AM Wildcat was feeling the parking pinch with overflow from Tucks.

There were 2 Med -Evac helicopters parked in the bowl above Hojo's today for Rapid Rescue Response. The 1159th NH ARNG Medivac crew was on station on a training mission, and the Eliot Hospital Life Flight copter stood by as well.

I was blessed with some quips from the flight crews. Eliot Hospital Life Flight Crew said " we can't fix Stupid"

NH National Guard said " Assumption is the Mother of All WTF situations"



Huge props to Al Reisch and Friends of Tuckerman's for their attention to detail, these folks ROCK when staging this event!

Breeze

 

[riverc0il]

Definitely a weekend that I avoid the place at all costs. Two helis in the bowl?! That must have been a site.

 

[andyzee]

Definitely a weekend that I avoid the place at all costs. Two helis in the bowl?! That must have been a site.

Steve, once again, thanks for the heads up on that!

 

[andyzee]

You should practice a little before using...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-arrest

Remember - if using crampons to climb - use the axe...
People break legs when they try to self arrest with cramps...

Come up to Hunter and climb Racers Edge and practice... Thats what i did...

Well, didn't have a chance to get up to Hunter, but you and Steve did make me very aware of the importance of learning self-arrest. I found this informational video on youtube and will practice on either the lower sections of Tux, if it's not too crowded or at Wildcat. Thanks for the tip:

 

[kbroderick]

For anyone else considering the merits of an axe and crampons, at least get the axe. I was up there two weeks ago, and climbing with the axe is like having a handrail for the bootpack; the weight penalty, at least with my axe, is virtually nonexistent.

(On the other hand, I carried my crampons up, had them on my pack when we summitted...and never actually put them on my boots. So I'm not as convinced that bringing crampons is necessary...but I'll probably still bring them if I make it back next week, as I'm hoping to.)

 

[AHM]

Not so sure about axe and crampons..........

I was skiing tucks on Thursday and Friday (4/17 & 18) and am not convinced an axe or crampons is necessary. You can kick a pretty good bootpack with not a whole lot of effort--I kicked one into Chute on Thursday (pretty steep shot to go up). Conditions were very soft making for some excellent skiing in Left gulley, Chute, Center headwall and Hillmans. For Friday, I closed out the day with Dodges. I hiked up Hillmans for Dodges. I have skied there for over 25 years and have never used axe or crampons. It depends how comfy you are on steep terrain bootpacking.

I would recommend carrying your skis on your pack so your hands are free. I also bagged the avie gear for day 2 as there was simply no need to carry my probe, shovel and transciever. Lots of water was necessary for the extreme heat however.

Pictures of Dodges can be seen at skimrv.com under the weekend roll call thread. Can't seem to upload them hear due to file size.

 

[andyzee]

I was skiing tucks on Thursday and Friday (4/17 & 18) and am not convinced an axe or crampons is necessary. You can kick a pretty good bootpack with not a whole lot of effort--I kicked one into Chute on Thursday (pretty steep shot to go up). Conditions were very soft making for some excellent skiing in Left gulley, Chute, Center headwall and Hillmans. For Friday, I closed out the day with Dodges. I hiked up Hillmans for Dodges. I have skied there for over 25 years and have never used axe or crampons. It depends how comfy you are on steep terrain bootpacking.

I would recommend carrying your skis on your pack so your hands are free. I also bagged the avie gear for day 2 as there was simply no need to carry my probe, shovel and transciever. Lots of water was necessary for the extreme heat however.

Pictures of Dodges can be seen at skimrv.com under the weekend roll call thread. Can't seem to upload them hear due to file size.

Agree with you 100%, neither is required. Just thought it makes it easier and figured I'd give it a try. Last year, my first time there, saw guys hiking up a hell of a lot quicker with the crampons and ice ax.

 

[awf170]

Agree with you 100%, neither is required. Just thought it makes it easier and figured I'd give it a try. Last year, my first time there, saw guys hiking up a hell of a lot quicker with the crampons and ice ax.

Did you ever think that were just in better shape, fatty.

 

[andyzee]

Did you ever think that were just in better shape, fatty.

Screw you, lil beanstalk #$%@ &*%#r! Wait til I catch up with your scrawny lil butt! :smash:

By the way, what' your feeling on crampons and ice ax, if you could afford them that is.

 

[awf170]

Screw you, lil beanstalk #$%@ &*%#r! Wait til I catch up with your scrawny lil butt! :smash:

By the way, what' your feeling on crampons and ice ax, if you could afford them that is.

They are a lot faster if you need to kick steps in. But if you already have a deep bootpack and there is no need to kick in, you're better off without them.

BTW: I actually have crampons and an ice ax. My mommy and daddy gave them to me for Christmas.:lol:

 

[twinplanx]

OK I'll try this thread...Are there any ski shops in the North Conway area that sell used gear? If so please recommend, thanx

 

[cbcbd]

OK I'll try this thread...Are there any ski shops in the North Conway area that sell used gear? If so please recommend, thanx

Don't know about the ski shops but...

IME's basement has stuff, don't remember how much ski stuff.
Ragged Mountain up the road also has a consignment basement and I've seen some skis there.

Could call Stan & Dan...

 

[snoseek]

OK I'll try this thread...Are there any ski shops in the North Conway area that sell used gear? If so please recommend, thanx

Go to the ski and snowboard liquidators right in the plaza right behind dunkin donuts. They sell both new and used along with lots of demo skis. Prices are probably the best in the valley I think. Also there is a shop in W. Ossipee on rt. 16 that has a bargain basement with used stuff.

 

[snowmonster]

Can't remember the names of the shops in North Conway that sell used gear but there are a lot, especially at this time of year. All you have to do is basically drive up the road. Some shops also rent mountaineering gear if you need them. I think Joe Jones does.

 

[andyzee]

 

[snowmonster]

Maybe you can rope him in for Tux this weekend, Andy?

 

[thetrailboss]

Can only do Saturday folks....weather permitting. I'm overworked right now with the end of classes....

 

[snowmonster]

Can only do Saturday folks....weather permitting. I'm overworked right now with the end of classes....

I completely sympathize. Good luck on the final push!

I'm in for Friday, staying over then headin' to Maine on Saturday morning. I hope to bump into you in the parking lot on Saturday.

 

[thetrailboss]

How long (timewise and distancewise) is it to Tux from the trailhead?

 

[thetrailboss]

I completely sympathize. Good luck on the final push!

I'm in for Friday, staying over then headin' to Maine on Saturday morning. I hope to bump into you in the parking lot on Saturday.

Yes, and guess whose computer is going crazy on the day that the big paper is due??? Thank God for flash drives, back-ups, and spare time for these "problems." :roll: