New Hampshire Backcountry: Tuckerman’s Revine

I'm stoked to annouce our first guest trip report and author, Seth Beck from badcolonies.org. SBC is out killing it in the east coast backcountry and representing with the Illunimati. His post below from Tuckerman's Revine, New Hampshire looks like a great time with good friends. Keep an eye out for more trip reports from Seth and other guest authors in the future. Please pay SBC a visit at badcolonies.org -- sponsor them in the Mongol Rally 2006!

New Hampshire Backcountry: Tuckerman's Revine

I am not dead, just lame

These are the two runs we managed to get in. Afterwards, Carrie stated that “Tuckermans is more about hiking than riding, huh.” For a larger unmarked photo of the ravine click here

In 1996, I made my first trip to Tuckerman’s, it was my second year riding and I came completely unequipped for the steep slopes, lacking any real skills and riding a 151 Morrow Revert, the same model TR took the Open with in 1994. However, it would prove an experience that would influence the following years greatly.

Ten years later and a lot has changed, I entered the year with high hopes for the season. Unfortunately, a combination of bad weather, bad colonies, added job responsibilities, and a house under the constant attack of a one year old, left me with one of my worst years on the mountain ever.

Last Sunday, it became utterly evident that an epic week was approaching the Northeast, 60 degree temps with ample snow remaining. An opportunity to redeem a small portion of the season was at hand. I had hoped to get some decent footage from the trip, but had to abandon the goal when all bagged on the trip other than my sister, Carrie. My footage would have paled in comparison to Patio’s anyhow, so no real loss. The following are a few photos and some of the Tuck’s trip prerequisites accomplished on this trip.

The Illuminati awaits, cheers to snowboard mag and Ill23, she rides like a dream.

Prerequisite #1 – have an exchange with some backwoods locals.

While stopped at a gas station that proudly displayed “NO RESTROOMS”, one of the 6 old guys drinking coffee exclaimed to Carrie “You needa use the bathroom?” After she returned a questionable yes, the grizzly looking proprietor stated plainly, “Its not for public use, go ahead.”

This is the view of the Ravine from Hermit Lake Lodge, about an hour and a half hike in. Carrie’s pride and joy, a sticker from Japan, is in the foreground.

Prerequisite #2 – Forget something and lose something.

Carrie forgot a backpack that could actually haul a snowboard and ended up using a extra I had. Through-out the day we lost the following: my Agency cap, a tube of sunscreen, and a hiking pole. I also forgot to bring anything close to skills.

The hike up climber’s right of the ravine. When I took this photo, I came to the conclusion that I was bleeding profusely from my thumb, still not sure how that happened. Our second hike up involved a hop over a 7 foot crevasse.

Our strap in point at the top of the ravine, looking from climber’s right to left

Prerequisite #3 – completely blow your intended run, ending up coming down in a totally different place than expected.

Carrie and I had scouted the terrain just to climber’s left of the ice fall, basically dead center. I tried to remember some of the landmarks, once we were underway and traversing I couldn’t pick up anything. It is amazing how steep that terrain is and how tough it is to spot your line. We ended up doing the chute instead because there is such a nice rock band to follow. The one prereq not accomplished - overhear some Joseph state "Hey's where's da lift?" There's always next year.