Gpetrics is an accomplished above treeline skier from Hanover, NH. He’s addicted to high adventure and he’s an excellent photographer. When I saw the picture below, it captured my imagination. Following are excerpts from the TR he posted on Time for Tuckerman, after a trip to the rockpile, in early April 2008.
…backcountryBen and I had a few things to take care of. When I raced in the Toni Matt downhill at Big Mountain a good 6 or 7 years ago, I finally opened my eyes and learned about all the history people like Mr. Matt and Brooks Dodge put into my backyard. I’ve had a hankering to do some of the big lines that these guys pioneered. Tuesday April 8th was the day.
We finally hit Dutchess, Empress, Dodge’s and Sluice. My numero uno objective however was (and always has been) to get up and down Dodge’s. I have no idea why I haven’t done it yet… it’s usually is in play for a good period of time.
Unlike Central which is so difficult to get because, among other things, the time window is so short. Dodge’s isn’t the hardest line in the world (again unlike Central), but for some reason it has eluded me. So pumped to get it done, and say to myself that I can appreciate the history of the mountain just a little bit more.
In all honesty, not the perfect Dodge’s day with the SE wind at the top to keep things firm. It probably would have been a better day to hit something else. Huntington was surely more protected from the winds. But what we did was not bad. Now I can’t wait to get back up there with the monkey off my back.”