[TR] Colchuck Lake - Ice/Dragontail + Colchuck conditions 02/11/2018

[manninjo]

Trip: Colchuck Lake - Ice/Dragontail + Colchuck conditions

Trip Date: 02/11/2018

Trip Report:

Went up to Colchuck lake on Saturday thinking there may have been enough melt freeze lately to make ice fat on Dragontail, probably still too early this year.  Some ice on the northern aspects but looked pretty spicy through zoomed in views.  We climbed a neat consolation ice line on the lower flanks of Colchuck Balanced Rock and enjoyed the sunny and windless alpine ambience instead. 

Skinning the road required a fair bit of walking but booting up the summer trail was easy with a snowshoe track packed down.  Nice and consolidated snowpack made for easy traveling.

I feel like alpine climbing in the Cascades you can have good ice, good snow, or good weather.  Oftentimes you can choose one.  Getting two or three to align is elusive, rewarding when it happens though. 

Here are some conditions photos from February 10+11 of Triple Couloirs, Gerber-Sink, and an ice flow coming down the lower flanks of CBR with some vintage tat at the top.

Gear Notes:
Cascade winter grab bag. Two ropes would be nice

Approach Notes:
From Icicle Creek

[John Douglass]

Thanks for posting. Beautiful day to get out. I'm liking those skinny goulottes in the runnels section!