Mount Franklin Cirque - Skiing New Hampshire's Forgotten Ravine

Just beyond Oakes Gulf lies Mount Franklin Cirque, a zone that sees very few visits each year. Rumors of long walks and complex terrain keep most people away, but this zone holds some fantastic skiing.
The day after the solar eclipse, I awoke at 4:00am feeling charged up and full of energy, for a solo tour in the White Mountains. With temps just above freezing and wind at summit elevations, I opted for the south facing terrain on Mount Franklin as my plan. After a warm up run on Monroe East Snowfields, I wasn't feeling optimistic for corn snow, but as the fun emerged from the clouds, it changed everything. I ended up skiing Southern Snowfields, Kite String Couloir and Franklin Headwall, discovering the wonders of this hidden gem with each turn.

[@BlackRail33]

Love the "picking away at the lower angle bushy obscurities." ☮

[@extreme_ryan_delena]

Haha yup! It’s all skiing !

[@ColinBeatty-dk7tm]

Adventurous entrance to kitestring, another killer video

[@extreme_ryan_delena]

Thank you! Yes getting into Kite String is shwacky! I’ve heard in deeper years it gets better. Super cool dropping in off the summit though!

[@lwskiventure]

Love it! Every time I watch one of these videos I have my maps out and love trying to follow along. Making me have too many plans for next season!

[@extreme_ryan_delena]

Glad you enjoyed it! Having the map out is a fun way to visualize. A big reason I make this videos is to inspire people about what’s out there, so I’m glad you’re getting stoked on it.

[@matthewgallant3622]

So awesome man! The great thing about having skis in the Presidentials is you can make it back to Pinkham way faster than hiking so you can go all the way to Franklin if you want.

[@extreme_ryan_delena]

@@matthewgallant3622 hell yeah. That’s the best part of the day. When you wanna go home just click in and head down!

[@matthewgallant3622]

@@extreme_ryan_delena I’m interested to know your thoughts on the Granite Backcountry Alliance in NH? My friend and I snowboarded the glades on South Baldface they cut and it was excellent. Lots of flat spots making it more ski friendly but very well groomed nonetheless.

[@extreme_ryan_delena]

@@matthewgallant3622 I think they’re a great organization doing great stuff. The terrain out there is lovely! It’s tough because a lot of them are so low elevation that they need a really big storm to set them up.

[@Jesseandkeesia]

Love all the videos! I just did Tucks for the first time on the same day you made this video. Mt Washington summit down snow fields then right gully. Thanks for the inspiration, Im really excited to explore this area more! Do you expect to finish your project this year?

[@extreme_ryan_delena]

Hell. Yeah. Nice work on your first tucks line, sounds like you picked a good one!
As for my project, I have 7 lines left, and unfortunately they’re all toast by now. Next season it should all come together

[@Jesseandkeesia]

@@extreme_ryan_delena th-cam.com/video/yn56Ht6Wxiw/w-d-xo.html

[@GetUpTheMountains]

Oi! This one needs a new thumbnail, it shows as the 3-dots image of like a broken or missing thumnail. Just a heads up. 🤜🤛

[@extreme_ryan_delena]

I’ve tried twice! I don’t know how to fix it

[@GetUpTheMountains]

@@extreme_ryan_delena The thumbnail is NOT IN! 🤣