Chair Peak Conditions

[Juan]

After way too many months of parenting, my wife and I want to get out this weekend. Does anyone know whether the N. Face of Chair is well plastered with ice/snow at this point? I would think so, but thought I'd check. I saw a "non TR" but nothing else.

 

Thanks much,

 

John Sharp

[scheissami]

Obviously a lot can change in two weeks, but here's some pics and a TR from our trip. At the time, the NE buttress was probably in better shape, but with the recent weather, the upper pitches of the N Face may have consolidated a bit more.

 

 

Cheers...

[selkirk]

I have a feeling there's lots of snow, and some ice but I doubt the snow has been consolidating very fast on the N. face. I ran into a guy who works at Marmot in Bellevue and as of last Wed. there was ice on the 1st pitch followed by lots of unconsolidated snow on the rest of the N. Face. It's climbable but difficult to protect for the 2nd pitch, but there may not be much pro to be had between the top of the ice gully and the trees on the N. Face. I was up there Sunday and after much wallowing in powder, we didn't like the avy conditions above the Thumbtack, but things may have stabilized by now. Made for a nice snowshoe though

If you go, have fun be safe and give us a TR!

 

[StreetBoss]

The second pitch is generally unprotectable, so that's nothing new. It's also fairly easy with great views.

 

[selkirk]

Last year I managed to find a good screw and couple of good pickets before getting to the trees, but there was also quite a bit of neve' on route.

[dbconlin]

the second pitch doesn't need to be protected really.

 

i placed one screw, slung one tree, before reaching the next belay.