Raymond Cataract

Raymond Cataract is one of the most rarely visited spots on the mountain. Mainly due to the numerous other options in neighboring ravines, but also due to the fact that it's rarely in condition. When it is skiable however, it makes a fun and interesting way to finish a day in either of the ravines. Raymond Cataract is best reached from Tuckerman Ravine, but can also be approached from Huntington. You may need to descend on foot through rocks and shrubs to get in at first. The top half of Raymond Cataract is very low angle, almost to the point of feeling flat compared to the surrounding terrain. Then suddenly, the gully narrows and rolls drastically to almost 40 degrees. This is a textbook example of both a convexity and a terrain trap, and was also the site of a 2019 avalanche fatality. Serious caution is advised in this route. Below the roll, you'll enter the waterfall section. More often than not, this has open water holes, and the remaining snow is likely undermined. This is why Raymond Cataract isn’t skiable without a big snow year. Skirt the waterfall holes and continue down the brook. The terrain flattens again and the brook eventually crosses the Huntington Ravine fire road. If the brook is open water, you can "ski" the nearby trees to avoid this. Continue down the Tuckerman Ravine Trail and cross over to the Sherburne Ski Trail to exit.