“Mount Washington Avalanche Center said that the section of the Tuckerman Ravine Trail that leads to the Headwall — from Lunch Rocks to the top of the Headwall, where it meets the Alpine Garden Trail — is now closed to all uses, including skiing and riding the Lip and Sluice.”
The Conway Daily Sun reports after large crowds gathered to ski Tucks despite a stay-at-home order from New Hamsphire Gov. Chris Sununu, closures have put in place to discourage backcountry access. To address the inevitable crowds flowing into the popular Tuckerman Ravine area, the Cutler River Drainage Area – including the section extending from Lunch Rocks to the top of the Headwall, where it meets the Alpine Garden Trail – has been closed. The closure includes skiing and riding the Lip and Sluice too. The closure is not temporary and will continue until meltout. Essentially eliminating access to skiing and riding in the popular Tuckerman Ravine for the season. Sayonara Tucks.
“The closure is designed to protect the public and rescuers from the hazards associated with the waterfall and crevasses which are just beginning to emerge. Violating this closure is a misdemeanor offense and will be enforced.”
Mount Washington Avalanche Center statement about influx before the closure:
Just editing to clarify that people from “away” are not the problem. Backcountry travel, particularly in steep, mountainous terrain, creates the risk of injury which could require response from rescuers and contact with others. Anyone, even residents, increase risk for everyone when they choose to drive somewhere to recreate. Please consider exercising in or near home, wherever that may be. And be kind to each other as we try to figure this out.
Yesterday, more than 400 people came to Tuckerman Ravine with well over 50% of them arriving from out of state. Cars filled the parking lot at Pinkham Notch, lined the highway for several hundred yards with folks congregating in the lot, on the deck and driving together. In many case, it was clear that the groups did not live together. Our medical advisor visited us to offer advice on our current state of affairs as lead agency for SAR in the Cutler River Drainage. Among other observations, he commented that odd were strong that asymptomatic carriers of COVID19 were among these vistors.
Please respect the stay at home order. Skiing is not an essential activity be any measure and while we support exercising and being outdoors now more than ever, those activities should occur in your neighborhood or within a short drive of your house.
