For the second week in a row, weather forecasts showed sensational blue bird days during the week and colder rainy weather for the weekend. Not to be skunked two weekends in a row during some of the best skiing conditions of the season, I requested Wednesday off from work and hooked up with the Sledhauler for an epic day in Tuckerman Ravine.

We got a late start arriving at Pinkham shortly before nine o’clock. Temperatures were warmer than expected which meant the long slog up the Tuckerman Ravine Trail to HoJo’s would be a sweaty affair which proved to be true. Touring with new boots for the first time, Sled had some discomfort on the skin up but fought through the pain. Views upon arriving at HoJo’s were stellar with gullies (both with and without names) filled in sensationally for this late in the season. We watched on as a boarder and skier slip slided and butt slided their way down Dodge’s Drop.

After a bit to eat and some quick refreshment, we were ascending towards the Bowl on the Tuckerman Ravine Trail. Sled opted to hike but I decided to continue skinning as long as possible. I skinned the entire trail to the bowl and only removed my skis once for a rock crossing. Coverage was simply sensational on the trail.

The Bowl was tremendously filled in with only two noticeable minor crevasses under the rocks on the headwall. Left Gully was seeing a lot of attention and traffic because the sun exposed right side of the ravine was already had soft and moist snow. Our plan was to ascend Right Gully and review options for a summit bid after topping out with a preference on The Lip as a descent route.

Climbing up Right Gully went fairly smoothly until reaching a choke point that saw skier traffic sliding away the boot ladder. Sled struggled to kick new steps into a hard and somewhat icy base layer. I had difficulty following Sled with my larger foot print that often requird double and triple kicking in deeper steps. Above the choke, the climbing was easier and we soon topped out to sensational views with not a cloud in the sky.

Sled and I decided that it was too late for a summit bid due to our late start. The East Snowfields were nearly completely full and should provide great turns late into the season. The snowfields above the bowl were also nearly completely full and we decided to skin over to the top of the snowfields and drop into the Bowl via The Lip. This was my first ascent of Right Gully and would also be my first descent via The Lip.

After a quick skin up to the top of the snowfields above The Bowl, we took a short break and took in the marvelous views. With the sun at our backs, we clicked in and began descending towards The Lip. Turns on the snowfield were sensational. My big toothy grin still remains on my face just thinking about those wide open turns as I descended towards The Lip.

We slowed and approached The Lip with caution to ensure a wide berath of the crevasse and rocks to skies’ right. Approaching The Lip was interesting as descending further did not reveal the slope below until right at the edge of The Lip. Upon reaching the edge, I was impressed by the pitch but unphased in the slightest as it was well within my range. The clear uninterrupted view down towards the floor of the bowl was stunning. I was most concerned with the variable snow which alternated between soft mushy snow and occasional scraped hard pack.

After a quick checked jump turn, I began my descent in earnest going for consistent hop turns with minimal slide in between turns trying for a clean and smooth ride. About halfway down, I stopped to take everything in and grab a quick breather before opening up some wider and faster turns towards the floor of the Bowl. Sled came down second with some fine steep slope skiing. We stopped at the floor of the ravine for a final moment to enjoy our surroundings.

With tired legs and sore feet, we made our way down the Connection Cache and took the traverse towards the Lower Snowfields just before the Little Headwall became an open brook and waterfall. A few quick turns later, we entered the Sherburne Ski Trail for a thigh burning romp back down to Pinkham.

Today was a rare blue bird day on Mount Washington with perfect temperatures and excellent climbing and skiing conditions. With colder weather and rain moving in for the weekend, I was glad for the opportunity to enjoy Tuckerman Ravine at its best. With sensational snow pack, the east side of Mount Washington is set to ski very well very late into the spring. Both the Tuckerman Ravine Trail and the Sherburne Trail were skiable top to bottom with only a few bare spots on the Sherburne which should last at least one more week top to bottom with minimal walking between the usual breaks in snow pack. Great company, great skiing, and great adventure all combined for a banner day on Mount Washington.

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