Tuckerman Ravine 11/10/07

[KD Talbot]

11/10/07

Tuckerman Ravine 4500'

5.6 Miles 2600' Elevation gain

Kevin, Judy and Emma

Our plan was to hike on Sunday, but on our way through Pinkham Notch on Saturday we couldn't resist stopping and making the hike up to "The Bowl" in Tuckerman Ravine. Conditions were perfect with bluebird skies, light winds and manageable temps. The hike started out on dry ground, but about a mile in we found patches of ice, then patches of snow, then finally packed snow. We passed many bluejeans, sweatshirts and sneakers along the trail. I guess this is OK, as long as you have enough sense to turn back at Hermit Lake. I'm not too sure how smart it is hiking in ice and snow in sneakers. Sure, you could still slip and fall in boots, but a boot certainly gives you more support and diminishes the chances of turning or spraining an ankle. A lot more insulation in a boot, too. Enough of that. This was our first hike of the season where there was enough snow to consider what our equipment should be. We bare-booted to "The Bowl" with no difficulty, not enough snow yet for snowshoes. There had been the remains of a light dusting on our last hike, 11/3/07 to Garfield, but this was winter condition hiking even though the calendar says winter is still 40 days away. Snow brings new life to an otherwise drab landscape. The grays and browns now covered in brilliant white removes the depressing lack of color that late fall can bring. The trees covered in snow gives everything that Christmas feel, even though it's not Thanksgiving yet. We had started late, so we stayed until the shadows crept up the ravine walls and swallowed the crags above us, then began our trek out in the late afternoon light. As we made our way back down the Tuckerman Ravine Trail it was as though we journeyed backwards through time to a place where winter had not yet taken hold. The calendar may still say November, but on the summits and in the ravines of northern New Hampshire the winter fun has already started!

Pictures here:

http://ghostflowers.com/white_mtns30...ine111007.html

More tomorrow.
KDT

[Steve M]

Awesome, thanks for that...It won't be long and all those trees will be lost to the depths of the snow. My only request is you bring a video camera with you and get some live footage.

[donnellyvj]

Yes, Thanks I just got that warm fuzzy feeling reading this post. It was a Great weekend to be on the Mountain. Sunday around 7am Tucks was catching the sun just right. All aorund the ravine shined of a gold color that held me in a gaze for quite sometime. I had to move on when my boby reminded me this walk was to warm up from a chilly yet great night sleep. WHAT A DAY

[EricJ]

Thank you for the latest Tuckermans picture and your great writeup had me day dreaming.

[Bill O]

Thanks for sharing. I never get to see those transition seasons. Its a mystery to me how Tuckerman Ravine goes from a giant cliff with waterfalls to a snow filled bowl.

[Brad]

Sounds like Bill O put a challenge out there for us all. Who can get to the same spot in Tuckermans and take a picture - then do it again throughout the winter? It would be nice to have it monthly. Weekly would be awesome to see the transitions. Who is up for this?

Is this something we can do together? We all use the same spot and same zoom setting on the camera.