Tux

[BeefyBoy50]

What is tux usually like 1 month from now (thinking weekend of apr 24). Is it generally good or too late in the season to be worth it? This season is probably better than usual, so I will try to factor that in to your answers.
I do know about time for tuckerman's (and it's a valuable resource) but I trust you guys more
Thanks!
Hans

 

[marcski]

Definitely NOT too late in the season.

 

[SIKSKIER]

April is prime Tux season.Its usually much safer than winter months and the snow depth is at its best.Just watch the weather obviously.

 

[Not Sure]

A friend skinned up a few days ago , Sherbies in good shape , AMC has a good resource for trail conditions,I usually check Pinkham notch snow level , walking out really sucks.
Just heard local weather guy talk about more cold on the way, possible Easter snow,
Should be a later Spring this year. I like to plan to be up for a couple of days and pick the best weather day.

 

[Cannonball]

In general late April-early May is a good target for a first-timer. But it should go without saying that any day of the year can be nasty of there and you should always be prepared to change your plans. If you've never been before it's actually helpful and comforting to have the crowds of people that go at that time.

Do trust the info at TfT. Even if you avoid the forum, go on the home page and find their info pages on packing etc.

And since somebody's eventually going to call you on it I'll just get it out of the way.... it's "Tuckerman"

 

[Domeskier]

do they have Sherpas who will lug your gear?

 

[BeefyBoy50]

And since somebody's eventually going to call you on it I'll just get it out of the way.... it's "Tuckerman"

Thanks, better that I sound like a noob on here than elsewhere.

 

[Puck it]

Thanks, better that I sound like a newb on here than elsewhere.

fixed it again.

 

[catsup948]

I've skied Tux the first weekend of June and it was pretty sweet. Some of the most dangerous skiing I've ever done. Bottom of left gully was totally melted out so one wrong move and it could have been a nice fall into sharp pointy rocks! I think we got about 500 vert that day in both Sluice and Left Gully. I'd like to go back little earlier in the spring sometime, it gets pretty nuts up there on weekends in April.

 

[603Skier]

do they have Sherpas who will lug your gear?

Right of passage will not allow. You have to earn it by carrying your own gear.
When Warren Miller filmed there a few years back they would not allow the skiers a heli ride, nor someone carrying their gear for them. Film crew were the only ones that had a free ride.

 

[Cannonball]

I've skied Tux the first weekend of June and it was pretty sweet. Some of the most dangerous skiing I've ever done. Bottom of left gully was totally melted out so one wrong move and it could have been a nice fall into sharp pointy rocks! I think we got about 500 vert that day in both Sluice and Left Gully. I'd like to go back little earlier in the spring sometime, it gets pretty nuts up there on weekends in April.

For us average non-hard-core folks there is a balancing act between too early (serious winter) and too late (undermined snow, flowing water, long hike out). In general for first-timers I'd recommend erring towards too late instead of too early. Having to hike out because you're late and the Sherbourne is toast really sucks. But that is much safer and better than being up there too early when avi and temp conditions are seriously dangerous. End April/early May is overall warmer, longer days, no new snow, etc. This all improves safety. Plus you have the crowds. Crowds present a major danger of their own which many of the hard-core folks prefer to avoid. But at least you aren't on your own.

Biggest advice: don't be a dummy! You're aren't at a resort, you are responsible for yourself, you are responsible for other people. Think, be cautious, be willing to bail, be courteous, be aware, be serious, but have fun....and you'll be good!

 

[Scruffy]

For us average non-hard-core folks there is a balancing act between too early (serious winter) and too late (undermined snow, flowing water, long hike out). In general for first-timers I'd recommend erring towards too late instead of too early. Having to hike out because you're late and the Sherbourne is toast really sucks. But that is much safer and better than being up there too early when avi and temp conditions are seriously dangerous. End April/early May is overall warmer, longer days, no new snow, etc. This all improves safety. Plus you have the crowds. Crowds present a major danger of their own which many of the hard-core folks prefer to avoid. But at least you aren't on your own.

Biggest advice: don't be a dummy! You're aren't at a resort, you are responsible for yourself, you are responsible for other people. Think, be cautious, be willing to bail, be courteous, be aware, be serious, but have fun....and you'll be good!

+1 Good advice. Too early and avys are a real danger, not that there can't be significant avy danger in May, mind you.

 

[Smellytele]

+1 Good advice. Too early and avys are a real danger, not that there can't be significant avy danger in May, mind you.

Later season it tends to be ice fall and undermining as the issues. Every few years you hear of someone falling between the snow and the rock face and not being found for a few months.

 

[catsup948]

Yeah. We were lucky that June day conditions were good. No undermining. Our trip down left gully was probably a mistake but we had fun.

 

[Scruffy]

Later season it tends to be ice fall and undermining as the issues. Every few years you hear of someone falling between the snow and the rock face and not being found for a few months.

That's true, dodging volkswagon sized ice falls is all part of the late season party. But it doesn't take any special training to keep out of the way of an ice fall, just awareness and luck. If you're up there in Dec or Jan, let's say, you better be avy savvy and have the gear, and ski buds that are also trained.