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PAST ISSUES

Adventure Rec heads to Tuckerman Ravine

by Beth Ellis
Exchange Staff

     Franklin Pierce students will hike and ski the steepest terrain in the east, on the world famous Tuckerman Ravine located on Mt. Washington this weekend through the campus' Adventure Recreation Program.

     The first day of the trip consists of hiking to the huts, where the students will camp out. The next day, students will hike the three miles from the huts to the base of the "headwall."  The headwall is a nearly vertical slope, and trip attendees will be given the opportunity to hike to the top of it and ski back to the base.  "It's an intense experience," said Doug Carty, Director of Campus Recreation, "there is no stopping once you start down." 

     If students choose not to ski the headwall, they can sit at the base of the ravine known as the "lunch rocks".  This is an area of rocks that allow for hikers to sit and watch others take the trip down the wall.

     Tuckerman Ravine is famous for the headwall.  Last year seven students attended the Tuckerman trip and four decided to take the ski from the wall.  Senior Adventure Recreation Student Coordinator, Tom Merkt, skied the headwall once on last year's trip.  "It was by far the scariest thing I’ve ever done," said Merkt.  He has been skiing on major mountain ranges in the west and when asked to compare he said, "[the headwall] was the most challenging skiing."
 
     Mt. Washington ski patrol will be at the bottom in case of emergency, but Merkt feels that the trip is safe overall.  The drop from the headwall ends in a basin and there are not any trees on the wall that could pose a danger to skiers.  If a skier does fall on the run, they will continue to slide, but the speed decreases as the slope flattens out.  Merkt believes that more skiers could successfully complete the wall than actually attempt to.  He said, "It is a mind challenge more than a physical challenge; people see the wall and get scared."

     There is no experience level necessary to attend the trip, but Carty allows only experienced skiers to attempt the headwall.  Students can attend the trip to hike up Mt. Washington and watch skiers on the wall.

     Junior Adventure Recreation Student Coordinator Kristen Bean said, "Even if students decide not to ski the headwall once they see it, it is always fun to watch from the lunch rocks and enjoy a great day outside." Students will also be able to ski down the three mile slope to the huts at the end of the day.

     The trip was postponed last weekend due to bad weather.  The group will now leave Saturday, April 5^th at 10 a.m. and return at 6 p.m. on Sunday.  The cost of the trip is $20 and includes transportation, hut rental, and food.  Eight students are allowed to attend the trip.  Contact Northfields Activity Center at extension 4382 for more information.

Read Beth Ellis' behind the scenes description of writing this article.