colchuck lake area avy conditions

[tbh]

i was wondering what the avalanche conditions are like on colchuck ne couloir, or colchuck glacier route this time of year and with this recent snowfall.

thanks

tom

[JoshK]

How is one supposed to forecast avalanche conditions for a specific area and for a specific time of year? It could be anywhere from completely safe to loaded and dangerous. Check out the forecasts (which are currently for either considerable or high most places) and if it looks like it you are willing to give it a shot, go up there and dig a pit and evaluate it for yourself. There is really no other way to know.

[tbh]

yeah i guess i should have phrased this differently. what i wanted to know is if these routes have considerable avalache danger. ie the top of the couloir ends in an open avalanch slope that will usually send avalanches down the couloir. or the glacier has an alternate way to travel to stay off avalanche slopes. for example you can take a certain way to camp muir to avoid avalanch slopes in winter.

thanks

tom

[philfort]

You'll be on avalanche slopes as soon as you climb above Colchuck Lake, just getting to either of those routes.

[mattp]

As stated, there really isn't a way to avoid avalanche slopes above Colchuck Lake and there has been an awful lot of new snow coupled with high winds lately. If you want low-hazard conditions, wait until the weather settles -- or wait until it rains to 8500 feet -- and then wait a few more days.

[Ade]

In addition with this much snow the approach may be somewhat lengthy.