Backcountry Conditions Blog
Sun Cups in Left Gully - 5/8/26
Guest Blog: Brady Wirth and Dana Mathews We hiked up the Tuckerman Ravine Trail which has no snow except in a couple of patches towards the top of the trail but no crampons required. The walk in to base of Left Gulley was clear of snow again. Once in the bowl, we transitioned into ski boots, crampons and mountaineering axes. We turned around about 100ft from the top of Left Gully. The top half of gulley was all sun-cupped ice, with the bottom half of the gulley could hold a decent edge and make some good turns. A few holes and cracks are starting to show but are easily avoidable. It even snowed most of the day, even graupel fell from the sky at one point. The hard refroze overnight kept the surface firm and solid. Exciting for our first time, would come back!
