Colchuck Lake Conditions

[kevino]

NOAA said 80% chance of snow. Yeah right.

 

 

Ran up to Colchuck lake area to stretch the legs and check out conditions. Discontinuous snow started at 4500. There is an old bootpack going up aasgard. The snow by the lake and the first part of the past is either frozen hard or has a breakable crust. That boulder field sure was fun. Before everyone asks, no I did not go up far enough to look at the NE couloir on dragontail.

 

Looking up TC

 

NW Face detail

 

A bad picture of the NEB couloir on Colchuck

 

The waterfalls were still running on coming down aasgard pass, but ice was forming on either side.

[Dane]

is the gate still open down on the creek?

[kevino]

Yes. They've actually put down some new gravel on the road.

[Dane]

Good info, Kevin, thanks.

 

 

[John Frieh]

Thanks Kevin! Given the amount of snow on Triple C, NEB should be in great shape.

 

Other users of cc.com should seriously consider posting conditions reports even if they dont climb anything. It really helps out

[KaskadskyjKozak]

Other users of cc.com should seriously consider posting conditions reports even if they dont climb anything. It really helps out

 

+1

[Dane]

Thanks Kevin! Given the amount of snow on Triple C, NEB should be in great shape.

 

Other users of cc.com should seriously consider posting conditions reports even if they dont climb anything. It really helps out

 

100% agreement on both.

 

NE coulior was fat when there was almost no (as in none) snow on the NW face.

[kevino]

Further update...its cold and snowing in ellensburg.

[Dane]

 

Conditions from the last time the gully saw a few ascents.

 

[Dannible]

Some friends and I climbed the NE couloir yesterday. Just above the lake we were all saying that we'd never seen such ideal conditions. Neve, styrofoam snow, and even a water ice stick or two heading up to the route. The route was fun neve and pow until the final, steeper two pitches. Up there it hasn't warmed up at all and we found the worst granite any of us have ever seen covered by fluffy cold snow and almost no ice at all. In places we were literally swinging directly into decomposing rock and getting sticks that would hold weight. Lead falls were taken, picks ruined. It'll be nice to go back someday and climb it when all that stuff is frozen. TCs might be ok since the crux is a bit lower, but expect a slog up high.

 

Still, perfect weather, more adventure than we expected and no one got hurt so it was a good day.

[summitchaserCJB]

Thanks for the update .

[denalidave]

Thanks Kevin!

 

Other users of cc.com should seriously consider posting conditions reports even if they dont climb anything. It really helps out

I'm staring at Mt Hamilton from my living room... When it's in, I'll PM you, JF. If you want me too, anyway.

 

 

NOT CURRENT PHOTO!!!

[Bronco]

Some friends and I climbed the NE couloir yesterday. Just above the lake we were all saying that we'd never seen such ideal conditions. Neve, styrofoam snow, and even a water ice stick or two heading up to the route. The route was fun neve and pow until the final, steeper two pitches. Up there it hasn't warmed up at all and we found the worst granite any of us have ever seen covered by fluffy cold snow and almost no ice at all. In places we were literally swinging directly into decomposing rock and getting sticks that would hold weight. Lead falls were taken, picks ruined. It'll be nice to go back someday and climb it when all that stuff is frozen. TCs might be ok since the crux is a bit lower, but expect a slog up high.

 

Still, perfect weather, more adventure than we expected and no one got hurt so it was a good day.

 

What grade do the uper pitches typically go at when they are "in"?

[Dane]

Guess you be first this year

[Bronco]

Just found your TR from November '08 - M5? Not this cowboy.