Top-roping on the lower Nisqually?

[TheBootfitter]

(I posted this in the ice-climbing forum, too, but thought I'd get more visibility here.)

 

A few friends and I are planning to head out for some top-roped ice climbing this weekend. We were considering the Coleman on Baker, but would like to minimize travel and approach time and hit the Nisqually from Paradise instead.

 

Anyone been there recently? Are we likely to find decent ice conditions for setting up a couple top-ropes and climbing a few hours in the morning?

 

Thanks for any insight you can offer!

 

[mike_m]

I heven't been up there since mid-Sept, but the lower Nisqually formed up really lame for fun ice this year, at least up to 7100' or so. Up higher there might be something.

 

The Coleman would be the extra drive/approach time, there's been lots of steep-to-overhung to work on. Be careful of the creek crossings though, really icy.