Alpine routes

[David_Parker]

Any beta on more "alpine" ice routes. With the lack of snow I'm wondering what triple couloirs, ice cliff glacier, n.face Chair would be like? DPP

[DPS]

David,

I have checked out a number of routes this last week, NE slab of the Tooth, Mt Index, NY Gully etc. My feeling is that due to the low snowfall and low moisture content of the snow, that all of these routes will be late in forming this year. Nothing I have seen is in *condition* yet.

*Although I'm sure they are doable, there was very little ice formed, just sugar snow over rock.