May 2-3 2015: Mount Washington

Last weekend I skied Mount Washington for the first time. Incredible weather and great spring corn conditions. Apparently there were 2000 people in Tuckerman Ravine on Saturday! The spring madness was out in full force in the bowl. Lots of very good skiers hucked the icefall, eliciting loud cheers. Also lots of people in way over their heads, tomahawking down to the bottom of the bowl.

On Saturday I hit Tuckerman Ravine. I skied from the summit to the Chute, then I skied Left Gully, then the Lip, then snowfields to Right Gully, and finally Hillman's Highway to the Sherburne trail. The Sherburne trail was closed about halfway down. I think the chute was my favorite line, as I hit it early before the snow got too mushy.

Sunday I only had the morning free and wanted to avoid the madness of Tucks, so I checked out the west side of the mountain. Skinned up the Ammonoosuc Ravine trail to the Lake of the Clouds hut and dropped into Oakes Gulf. Got a sweet untracked run down one of the central gullies and skinned back up. Lots of loose wet avalanche debris on the south-facing slopes, I was glad to be there early in the day. The peak bagger in me made me summit Mt. Monroe, then I scrambled down to Monroe Brook and skied it down all the way back to the car.

Incredible weekend, I'm already planning a return trip for next year. Potentially my last turns of the season, although I may get up to Killlington or maybe even Tucks again depending on how long the snow persists. Here are some pics:


Tuckerman Ravine


Corn-filled snowfields


Looking down Left Gully


Hillman's Highway

Some pics from Sunday's tour:


West side of Mt. Washington


Oakes Gulf


Really want to hit this line next time


Ominous clouds building up over Mt. washington

My buddy Jeff went up to Tucks this weekend too. He hiked it up for his 62nd birthday. The guy is an incredible skier. We so wanted to go. Maybe next weekend.. Or just after this one. Looks like plenty of snow still.

Nice going JJ

That line you are eyeing next year looks big!

Thanks for sharing that JJ.