Hi. Planning a first trip to Kahiltna to try to get some beginner routes done. Top objective is to take a shot at one of the couloirs on Hunter - Bacon & Eggs, North couloir, Vegetarian (and btw I'd love to hear any beta about the latter if anyone has any)
Besides that we'd be down to try stuff like SW ridge francis, W face Kahiltna queen, etc. And some smaller peakbags like Pt Farine. But I figure hunter routes are the most season-sensitive of all of them due to being gullies and more technical climbing. maaybe we'd leave open the option of going to Ruth instead (needs to be earlier?) or trying something bigger like 11300 or WR hunter (needs to be later?)
I really hate climbing with a short spring heat/sun deadline. Rather have as long of a safe window as possible before the climb starts falling apart in the heat. On the other hand, I don't think a first season ascent is on the docket for this team. Well-traveled tracks would be appreciated! and of course it's always pleasant to climb & camp in warmer temps & more daylight.
What's the ideal window for these climbs in your opinion? Our top 2 candidates are 4/11-5/4 or 4/18-5/11. We'd spend only 2 weeks on the glacier though,(work remote from Talkeetna while waiting for a weather window).
