Current Conditions?

[Big Soup]

For anyone who was up last weeekend 4-21/22), could you post a condition report?

How's the snow? Hiking Trail conditions (snow shoes needed?)? Good footing on the headwall climb? Ice axe needed? How much of the Sherburn Trail is open? Any other information that might help preparations for my first trip up for the year this coming weekend or next.

Thanks

[paulieK]

For anyone who was up last weeekend 4-21/22), could you post a condition report?

How's the snow? Hiking Trail conditions (snow shoes needed?)? Good footing on the headwall climb? Ice axe needed? How much of the Sherburn Trail is open?

WOW is the only word that can possibly describe this past weekend @ Tuck's. Pitched tent @ Hojo's @ 3 a.m. Fri. nite, beautiful star filled hike in, though took 2.5 hrs for us outofshapers. The hike from Pinkham is hard packed from the sno-cat traveling it, so no snow shoes required (unless they get any sig. new snowfall). Crampons not necessary, but there were prob a few points they'd have made it a bit easier. Awoke Sat. to the clearest of clear blue skies, minimal wind, 45 degrees easy. Hiked to rocks in ~ 40 minutes, not a bad hike. 11:30 and there was ~ 500 people there easy. PERFECT DAY!!! Hiked the staircase up the rite side of headwall, footings were well formed, though soft snow made poles slide out a few times! Footings near top of steepest part could be deeper, made it up in ~ 40 min. Another 20 to the top of snowfield were the Son of Inferno GS course began. Wind picked up and clouds rolled in a bit, not bad. Skied across snowfield for warm up to the Chute and then down. Very soft corn snow made for controlled turns back to the rocks. Couldn't have been better snow. Watched some dude on skis do a front flip off the headwall and land it! Then some dude on a board landed a BACKflip off it! Nuts man. Skied back to Hojo's on a welcome bump run, pretty fun. Late day hang out on deck watched glissaders down rite side, some guy out of control slid and flipped off headwall, caretaker not happy about having to recon the situation. Is he ok? Another one went down @ ~ 40mph. Crazy. Party @ shelters was great, anyone there now reading this will remember my bud falling all over the place, including off roof of their lean too! Sorry. Hard rain during sleep hours, awoke to sun breaking through clouds, though bowl was barely visible yet. Skied down Sherburn, lots 'o bumps! Not fun with 35lbs on! Sun was out, 60 degrees. Well covered with only 2-3 barespots near bottom, skied to lot, 68 there! Hope this helps, have a raging time for the rest of season, us CT dudes are done. Pierre, tx for the use of your platform, huge score! Paul.

[someguy]

One word....EPIC.

One of the best days I have ever had up there. I've been doing it every year since '90, and it is the most snow I have ever seen. My dad's been doing it since he was in college, and hasn't seen it this good.

Just goes to show that no one, and I mean no one can predict the weather up there. Rain? Whatever, it was a bit blustery on top around 2 pm, but overall it was a fabulous day.

Make sure you go through the extra effort to get to the high point of the snowfields - you may not get a chance to ski this for a long time. The headwall was pretty chewed up by early afternoon - it looked like some of the chutes and gulleys may have had better snow. Sherborne trail was excellent - a bit bumpy, but not unexpected.

It is really difficult to convey to others how amazing Tucks is unless you've done it. My fiance thinks I'm nuts for driving 6 hrs, sleeping 3 hrs, hike 4,000 ft, ski it down, then drive home 6 hrs. I will do it every year until my legs don't work.

[skicdave]

For a visual on the conditions see the latest TFT photos taken April 21...

http://timefortuckerman.com/photos2001-04-21.html?1

Snow next week? one of: bullet proof, icy, powder galour or wet spring snow... ie you never know before hand with the weather there.

Sherburn Trail only had a few bare spots near the bottom. It should be open for several weeks yet (my guess).

Dave


http://timefortuckerman.com/gifs/moose3a.gif

[Sweats]

What a weekend up there on the 21st. The hike up at midnight is the only way to go. Awesome view of stars and satellites. Very peaceful, you are literally all alone up there until you reach Hojos. Even then, the mountain rises out of the night and you can actually see the silhouettes of the peaks. I can not really think of a more spectacular site on earth. Then, if you're lucky, the sky is a perfect blue. The hike up to the bowl at this point is easy and lots of sites and sounds to keep you entertained. Some great skiiers and everybody has a great attitude which makes for more fun. If you are on the fence about a hike up here, just do it. Night or day, you won't regret it. The only thing you will regret is drinking vodka up there. Sweats Sudandoing

[M@]

Keep it down about hiking up at night... it's like revealing tree runs to the un-initiated. Ever since I hiked up once at night, it's the ONLY way to go. I know, I'm contradicting myself.

On a side note: Last year I was overcome by snoring and hiked DOWN at 2am sunday morning. At that was quite nice as well. First time I ever went to and from tuckerman without seeing a single other person on the trail.

Although: I must add, it is fun doing it in the day too, the whole group pilgramage thing is kinda fun.

M@