WHITEHORSE CONDITIONS

[JERRY_SANCHEZ]

WENT UP TO WHITEHORSE MT THIS SUNDAY AND REPORTED GOOD BUT TOUGH SNOW CONDITIONS. THE SNOW IS NOT CONSOLIDATED AND WE WERE POSTHOLING UP TO OUR THIGHS JUST PASS LONE TREE PASS TO HIGH PASS. AVALANCHE SEEMED HIGH BUT WE DIDN’T HEAR ANY BUT SAW TONS OF NEW SLIDES. WE STARTED AROUND 7:00 AM, TAG THE SUMMIT AROUND NOON, AND BACK TO THE CAR AROUND 4:00PM. THE TRAIL WAS STEEP AND LITTLE MUDDY BUT ROUTEFINDING WAS NOT A PROBLEM. THERE WAS RED TAPE AND SNOW FOOTPRINTS LEADING THE WAY. THERE IS PLENTY OF SNOW STILL UP THERE AND HOPEFULLY IT WILL BE EASIER TO WALK ON WHEN THIS WEEKS HOT WEATHER WILL CONSOLIDATE IT.

[Beck]

I have to concur with this TR regarding the snow conditions. While climbing in a different locale this past weekend I have to report unconsolidated snow conditions on most aspects. While by this time most climbers are expecting firm corn snow and well consolidated spring conditions THIS IS NOT THE CASE. The snowpack (as of Sunday 4/20 at least) showed significant storm layers from the last weeks snow and hard crusts atop weak grains or buried surface hoar. We need a prolonged period of cool nights and warm days to cook this snowpack down, the forcast looks promising.

[This message has been edited by Beck (edited 05-22-2001).]

[nolanr]

Using "squeeze" and "log" in the same sentence could be dangerous. I sure hope nobody squeezed out a log on the summit.

[Jman]

We hit the summit on 5/26 with perfect weather and excellent snow conditions - well consolidated. No need for crampons, axe was helpful (but I ended up using my poles most of the time) and only 1 of the 6-or-so parties that day roped up. The route was well tracked, but with the continued warm weather, other side of Lone Tree won't remain snow-covered for too much longer (maybe another few weeks). Not sure whether there is a path under the snow from LT down to the lake or not - rather steep.

The summit log was almost full (only 3 lines left). We were the last party on Saturday, so anyone to follow will have to "squeeze" their names in until the Mountaineers get a new log up there.

Have fun!!!

[This message has been edited by Jman (edited 05-31-2001).]