North Buttress of Colchuck

[armin]

Does anybody know if there's already much snow up there? Thanks.

[Alex]

It was warm(er) this weekend in the Icicle. I've gone into Colchuck Lake early in the winter season several times before and even in a normal snow year the route does not get to the point where it can be "easily" climbed until later in the season. If you are looking for thin snow cover, that classic verglassed rock band guarding the lower third of the route, and sketch central on the upper NE face, then anytime soon should be good.

[armin]

Wait, do you mean it doesn't get impossible until later in the season, or do you mean it's already pretty icy up there? dazed and confused.

[kurthicks]

I think alex is referring to the NE couloir (snow/ice route), not the NE buttress (rock route)

[Alex]

ah yes so sorry, I was thinking you mean N Couloir, not the actual rock route.

[genepires]

There is probably just enough snow up there to make the rock climbing miserable, unless you like it that way.

 

Go for it. If it is too snowy then the hike is good anyway.