Alex Posted February 23, 2004 Posted February 23, 2004 (edited) Just a quick conditions report on stuff in the Alpental area. What a gorgeous day Sat was! While there where enough people in the backcountry, everyone seemed to spread out and we didnt see many people all day. Lots of snow! There is about 15-20 feet of snow at the base of the Rap Wall. This is an unusual amount of snow for Feb, as in recent years we have gotten most of our snow pack in March. If we have another wet March, the amount of snow above 4000ft will be dramatic. Lots of old slide activity, but nothing came down on Sat, despite some areas of real significant wind-loading. In the lower valley, just about everything is buried. Flow Reversal is buried. Not Quite a Plum completely buried. Hotline is in, at around 4+. Steep, but short. Bryant Buttress Right (to the immediate right of Hotline) is in at a fun 3+ stemfest. Rap Wall routes have varying amounts of ice on them. As there is so much snow, the first 15-20 feet of these routes is buried. You can touch the draws on the roof of Guru right now from the snow. At least one climber has noted that this makes the spacing of the bolts on at least one route off now, allowing for a potential groundfall. Beware! There is some ice in Great Scott Bowl, too. My partner and I think we did a new route way up in the bowl, on the backside of the ski area, Sat. I need to confirm with a friend who climbed in this area last weekend. Snow conditions were bad in the lower valley, but really nice starting about 1000 ft up for skiing (we were on snowshoes). Lots of skiers, some ice climbers, and some people headed to Chair on Sat. Alex Edited February 23, 2004 by Alex Quote
Gary_Yngve Posted February 23, 2004 Posted February 23, 2004 The ice on the NE Butt of Chair on Sunday was amazing. Super plasticy. Exery swing was a solid stick. Quote
Alex Posted February 25, 2004 Author Posted February 25, 2004 Here is a pic of Hotline and Bryant Buttress Right (aka Flight to Mars)... Quote
dbb Posted February 25, 2004 Posted February 25, 2004 does anyone know if Mr. Strong sent his project there on Sunday? Quote
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