The Hike
Tuckerman Ravine sees tens-of-thousands of skiers every year, sometimes over 2000 people on a perfect spring Saturday. If it weren't for the necessary 3 hour hike before putting skis on, there would probably be 100,000 skiers in the bowl every year. The hike separates the people who think about skiing Tucks and the people who cannot wait to start hiking back up again. There are many people who just hike to the lunch rocks to barbeque, drink, and watch people ski; the hike can stand as an adventure by itself without needing to climb further for ski turns.
Being in shape, understanding proper hiking techniques, as well as a never-stop-moving (at least not for too long) attitude are the keys to a successful hike. The first key is a light and properly packed backpack. Skis should be strapped down as much as possible and heavier items should be in the bottom of your pack and against your back. I prefer to snap my boots into my bindings while on my pack, and to hike with my ski poles in my hands. Most backpacks these days have camelback water systems built in, I could not recommend these enough. You can weigh your pack at the beginning of the trail, mine is usually between 40 and 50 pounds.
Proper clothing is necessary. Poly-propalene, and capilene are "must haves" for a base layer. The weather will impact exactly what you will have on over your base layer but you will be hiking for at least 3 hours so prepare for heat and be able to easily shed layers. The first part of the hike starts behind the Pinkam Notch Visitor Center on the Tuckerman Ravine Trail. It is an easy 2.7 mile hiking trail that is groomed when there's snow on it. It typically takes 1.5 – 2 hours to get to Hojos. My ideal hiking outfit is hiking/trail boots, wool socks, base pant (pants pulled up above knees) and shirt, light shorts, baseball cap. The key to the first hike is staying lose, relaxed, dry, and moving; arriving in the Bowl in descent time with lots of energy is the goal. Don't forget sunglasses for all hiking, snow blindness is a bad thing.
The first part of the hike ends at Hojo's. If you are skiing the Hillman's Highway area, you will exit Hojo's to the left and make the 10 minute hike to the base of the boot-pack. If you are continuing into the Bowl, you will exit right and make 20-40 minute hike up into Tucks. This trail gains some difficulty at this point with larger rocks to negotiate. It is 3.1 miles from Pinkham Notch to the floor of the Bowl.
Whether skiing the Bowl or Hillman's, the 3rd part of the hike requires similar strategies. At the base of the boot-pack, I put on ski socks, ski boots, ski pants, spring hiking gloves, and an optional vest. On a busy boot-pack, a helmet is a smart idea with the increased chance of falling debris/equipment. All of the lines in the Hillman’s area are best accessed via hiking Hillman's Highway. The Bowl has several different hiking options discussed in the Route-Finding section. The boot-packs are all similar; long, steep, snow ladders. Make sure your water is easily accessible as this is the most tiring part of the hike and you will not be able to take off your back pack 100 yards up the wall.
Above photo by Bill Holmes
Above the ravine to the looker's right is the summit of Mt. Washington. The pitch is more mellow than in the ravine, meaning the push to the summit is relatively easy. However, climbing to the top will make it difficult to get more than 2 runs in a day. But, there is no longer run possible than from the peak. Wide open 25-30 degree pitches yield deep corn on a clear spring day. Every turn features the drop into the ravine in the background of the skier's sight line. When you do finally get to the bowl on your adventure down, that is where the real skiing begins. Being "rested" for this point is why mastering the hike is important, you will need your legs.
