Early April Sping Break Ranier??

[Big_Mac]

What are the chances of decent conditions, (based on the past) for good climbing the first week say from Sherman??

[AlpineK]

Bring skis. Check weather and avy conditions.

 

The White River entrance will probably be closed at the turn off to Crystal on 410. At least given the forecast for this winter.

 

Better yet make sure Rainier is one of many options for April.

[DPS]

White River road typically opens on Memorial day weekend. Before that it is a long walk/bike in, like 12 miles just to get to the trail head if HWY 410 is still gated.

 

I have climbed Rainier in April and had really good conditions. It is very weather dependent and April is still winter on the mountain. Your best bet is to try a route from Paradise as the road is kept open in the winter. Think about Gibralter Ledges, Ingraham Direct, DC, Fuhrer Finger, Kautz Glacier.

 

Like Feck said, if you come in April have some back up plans if the weather on Ranier is bad. April is a great time for alpine ice and mixed routes. Triple Couloirs on Dragontail, NE Couloir or North Buttress Couloir on Colchuck, Stuart Glacier Couloir on Mt Stuart should all be in good shape in April and the weather is often better over there.

[genepires]

11.3%

 

impossible to tell this far in advance. impossible to tell even 1 week in advance. Historically speaking there is no pattern of good weeks in a given month, especially in the spring. A butterfly flaps its wings china and our weather sucks for a week due to that.

 

best to be prepared for severe suffering, deep snow, cold, wind, tears and possibly blood.

[JayB]

Bring skis. If you've got the weather window - hit it up from Paradise.

 

If you don't, and IMO you most likely won't - the skiing at Crystal can be quite good, and if the avy conditions aren't too atrocious there are a bunch of fine mini-outings in the Tatoosh range that you could fire up.