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survival
Big Wall climber
A Token of My Extreme
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Topic Author's Original Post - Mar 13, 2008 - 09:44am PT
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Hey guys and gals,
I have been told that July is a good time for RMNP and the Diamond.
A friend of mine who used to be a climber e-mailed me and suggested that Colorado had so much snow in the high country that the Diamond wouldn't be in condition until August.
What do those of you who really know have to say about this?
Thanks for the input you hangdogs!!!!
Bruce
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Tarbuster
climber
right here, right now
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Mar 13, 2008 - 11:35am PT
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Randy Leavitt once called The Diamond: "a seeping gash".
He must've caught it a little early...
(in truth I think he said it never dried out one particular year)
Hard to say for sure from where I'm sitting (on my asss).
I'm no expert on The Diamond; only been up it once, but I was in the high country yesterday and yes there is good snow accumulation, but I'd wait and see what kind of spring precipitation we get.
As the summer develops, I'm sure you could monitor the situation through Mountain Project.
(plenty of "experts" over there).
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Jaybro
Social climber
The West
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Mar 13, 2008 - 11:39am PT
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I've been snowed off the diamond in June, July, and August. I have climbed it as early as first week of June and as late as first week of september. It's the mountains, hard to make generalizations, but July tends to be a likely time window.
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survival
Big Wall climber
A Token of My Extreme
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Topic Author's Reply - Mar 13, 2008 - 12:03pm PT
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Thanks a lot you guys. I thought I was gonna have to bump myself, no bites for awhile...
Tar, I knew I could count on you for something wise and wise ass!!
Jaybro, That's about what I expected, but thought if it was unusual "deep like" up there that it might be hard to even get started.
Goat, those are cool looking links, I'll keep an eye on them.
Bruce
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ydpl8s
Trad climber
Denver, Colorado
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Mar 13, 2008 - 12:17pm PT
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photo taken 5 days ago of the "cables" route, Diamond peeking out on the left.
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survival
Big Wall climber
A Token of My Extreme
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Topic Author's Reply - Mar 13, 2008 - 12:18pm PT
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Thanks stich-
Further input is welcome you all!! This ol' hound needs all the beta he can get!! We are looking at a trip on the Diamond, but also some of the long moderates in there.
Bruce
Edit: Wow, that's a bitchin' photo..
Those little tiny specky things appear to be humanoid in shape..scarey! Maybe homie's not supposed to be inna first grade...
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Tarbuster
climber
right here, right now
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Mar 13, 2008 - 12:23pm PT
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That is a really cool photo.
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Tarbuster
climber
right here, right now
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Mar 13, 2008 - 12:30pm PT
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Judging by what I can see in that photograph, that doesn't look like excessive accumulation for The Cables route and the summit area above The Diamond.
We've had quite a lot of wind this year; very strong and persistent, so certain aspects are stripped clean, while lee slopes are loaded, a scenario which isn't necessarily unusual.
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eeyonkee
Trad climber
Golden, CO
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Mar 13, 2008 - 12:31pm PT
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I'd say that August is probably a little better than July. Colorado typically sees a monsoonal weather pattern with a lot of moisture from the south in July. It typically ends sometime in early August.
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Raydog
Trad climber
Boulder Colorado
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Mar 13, 2008 - 12:34pm PT
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maybe I'm wrong but
it kinda seems Longs is the epicenter for changeability
regarding weather/climbing conditions,
in the Range.
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Euroford
Trad climber
chicago
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Mar 13, 2008 - 12:40pm PT
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awesome photo!
i'm no expert, but i've been spending about 2 weeks a year for the last 5 in RMNP.
we were up there in mid july two years ago and had a week of rain/nastyness followed by 5 days of -perfect- weather with temps in the 70's during the day and 50's at night with no storms. on day 6 we got -slammed- with a nasty storm that lasted for hours, machine gunned the mountain with lightning and hailed/rained for hours. after that, it slipped into the normal afternoon thunderstorm pattern and moderate summer temps. we were on the wall, but i guess they had near 100's down in the estes valley.
that was the single best weather window i've experienced out there. i've gone later in the season and had it more stable, but much cooler. overall, later june through early august seams to be the best, but expect daily but brief storms.
overall through, i've not planned my RMNP trips around the weather, if i had time to get out, i've gone in march through october, and i've had both good and bad weather at any time. maybe their is some science to that, and i'd have to reckon it has allot to do with the snowpack, but i wouldn't necessarily stress it too much. plan for the worst, hope for the best, just go out and get some.
depending on what you plan to do on the diamond, you can go pretty light, and bail pretty quick. or cowboy up and arm yourself to deal with it. YMMV
if your up in RMNP and the weather is total suck, you can always hop in the car and drive down to eldo and still get some climbing done.
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Tarbuster
climber
right here, right now
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Mar 13, 2008 - 12:42pm PT
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Per optimal conditions, ditto what eeyonke said.
August is typically a drier month.
That's a good generality for overall expectation.
The secondary issue, this idea of snow load on the summit melting into the cracks on The Diamond, you will have to wait and see...
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ydpl8s
Trad climber
Denver, Colorado
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Mar 13, 2008 - 12:46pm PT
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Anything up high in RMNP is always an "alpine experience" along with all of the inherent dangers involved. I'm sure that any of these guys on here can tell you stories of sudden snowstorms, lightning, hail etc. in the summer (especially hail and lightning that time of year). But, that's the beauty of it, keeps ya closer to your maker, not a sport climb experience.
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Tarbuster
climber
right here, right now
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Mar 13, 2008 - 12:52pm PT
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Ain't that the truth ydpl8s.
Best way to stay out of trouble on The Diamond is to plan on topping out not much later than, preferably before 12 noon.
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survival
Big Wall climber
A Token of My Extreme
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Topic Author's Reply - Mar 13, 2008 - 12:59pm PT
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Yeah, I can dig the closer to my maker aspect...never was a sport guy. I just may not have the option to bump it into August anyway. Too many stars and planets aligning for July. I like the suggestion of bailing to Eldo if necessary, but we will be armed and psyched as the group of us are all "mature"
(ie.. old!) and experienced, I just haven't done anything up there.
What's the best guidebook???
Bruce
Edit: I may be too "mature" to get up it by noon Tarman....
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Euroford
Trad climber
chicago
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Mar 13, 2008 - 01:03pm PT
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i prefer the gillet guides, but also have the rossiter guides. i'd buy both really. they both split for the high peaks and the estes valley, so its 4 books in total. make sure you hit up lumpy ridge for a warmup. my favorite crag!
when you have limited time, you may or may not get the weather you want. all ya can do is go giv-er, but its so damn cool being out that, that even if you bail its still a good day. be keanly aware of your retreat.
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survival
Big Wall climber
A Token of My Extreme
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Topic Author's Reply - Mar 13, 2008 - 01:08pm PT
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Euroford,
Yikes, I don't know if'n I wanna buy four books. Can I narrow it down? Guess I'll buy four if I have to.
I will definitely plan on hitting Lumpy Ridge. I've heard others mention it. Moderate route names?
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Tarbuster
climber
right here, right now
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Mar 13, 2008 - 01:09pm PT
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All joking aside, I really mean it about the 12 noon thing.
By one o'clock in the high peaks in Colorado, it's not uncommon, in fact almost the rule, to be toasted by hail and lightning, (especially on The Diamond as Ray alluded), when just an hour earlier everything was peachy.
Definitely less serious at Lumpy Ridge.
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klk
Trad climber
cali
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Mar 13, 2008 - 01:14pm PT
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that photo is really cool.
based on my past experience, your best bet for a weather window is to be there when i'm not there. either a week before i arrive or the week after i leave should be perfect.
three summer trips, three brutal monsoons. and i mean 830 AM and already lightening up high stuff. next time im just going to the frickin alps.
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survival
Big Wall climber
A Token of My Extreme
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Topic Author's Reply - Mar 13, 2008 - 01:17pm PT
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Yeah, I'm fully aware that you weren't joking Roy. Seriously, I'll do my best...:) I'll bring my Hardman suit if I can still get into it!
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Tarbuster
climber
right here, right now
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Mar 13, 2008 - 01:23pm PT
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I would recommend purchasing the 2 Rossiter guides; I think he puts out a better product with near art quality topos.
I have an old Gillette guide which you can borrow when you get here.
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survival
Big Wall climber
A Token of My Extreme
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Topic Author's Reply - Mar 13, 2008 - 01:27pm PT
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Uh...you can bring your book and keep it in your back pocket when we rope up together!
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Tarbuster
climber
right here, right now
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Mar 13, 2008 - 01:30pm PT
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What do these photos have to do with climbing in RMNP?
Not much really, I just had a hankering to post some photos.
Yesterday in the Indian Peaks, just south of RMNP.
The Arestua hut:
From the summit of Guinn Mountain, looking west toward the divide and Rollins Pass:
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survival
Big Wall climber
A Token of My Extreme
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Topic Author's Reply - Mar 13, 2008 - 01:35pm PT
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Niiice! It all helps me psych up!
Seriously Roy, I would love to borrow that book, but even better to have you around for a few days. I think you know all the sorry players.
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Tarbuster
climber
right here, right now
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Mar 13, 2008 - 01:39pm PT
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I'm planning on it.
I'm having Lisa polish up my walker.
(I'd do it but I get too big an arm pump).
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survival
Big Wall climber
A Token of My Extreme
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Topic Author's Reply - Mar 13, 2008 - 01:53pm PT
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30 years later, you're still cracking me up.
I'll see if I can get mine polished up too, so I look good as I retreat!
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Ouch!
climber
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Mar 13, 2008 - 01:53pm PT
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survival
Big Wall climber
A Token of My Extreme
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Topic Author's Reply - Mar 13, 2008 - 02:11pm PT
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Not a good place for a giant in shorts!!!
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ydpl8s
Trad climber
Denver, Colorado
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Mar 13, 2008 - 02:32pm PT
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"based on my past experience, your best bet for a weather window is to be there when i'm not there. either a week before i arrive or the week after i leave should be perfect."
Too funny!!! Would be even more funny if I didn't relate so much to that experience. One time I was down in the Sangre's on the Crestone Needle climbing the Ellingwood Waterfall (AKA the Arete)
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ADK
climber
truckee
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Mar 13, 2008 - 02:44pm PT
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Ive never been up the diamond, but Id shoot for July and if its too snowy, Id look further south to the sangres. Its far removed from the front range crowds, and the range collectively has enough moderate alpine routes to keep you busy for weeks.
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survival
Big Wall climber
A Token of My Extreme
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Topic Author's Reply - Mar 13, 2008 - 02:53pm PT
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Are the Sangres covered in the aforementioned guide book?
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steelmnkey
climber
Vision man...ya gotta have vision...
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Mar 13, 2008 - 02:55pm PT
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Hey, that looks like my buddy Bill in the snow up there in that picture!
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Tarbuster
climber
right here, right now
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Mar 13, 2008 - 03:03pm PT
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No, they are not.
I think you gonnah be plenty busy with RMNP.
I have the guidebooks for the Sangres too...
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bob d'antonio
Trad climber
Taos, NM
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Mar 13, 2008 - 03:03pm PT
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I climbed on the Diamond as early as late May to later to early September...depending on the route and which side of the wall you climb on. The lower east face doesn't dry out till mid-July, the left side of Upper East face dries out earlier and the right side later due to seepage.
You can expect storms at any time and crowds on the weekends on the popular routes.
Go to Mountainproject.com for more information on routes.
The Yellow Wall.
Aslo...the Chasm View Wall has two really classic routes, easier approach and get the sun longer. You might want to check it out before to the Diamond.
The Red Wall.
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survival
Big Wall climber
A Token of My Extreme
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Topic Author's Reply - Mar 13, 2008 - 03:16pm PT
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Thanks Bob.
Yeah, we will definitely be into some warm up action. Thanks for the feedback.
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bob d'antonio
Trad climber
Taos, NM
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Mar 13, 2008 - 03:27pm PT
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survival...call me if you like to get out when you get here...the Black Wall on Mt. Evans is also another great alpine area.
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survival
Big Wall climber
A Token of My Extreme
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Topic Author's Reply - Mar 13, 2008 - 04:55pm PT
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Bob, sounds great, where is that?
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Jaybro
Social climber
The West
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Mar 13, 2008 - 06:09pm PT
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Survival, if July is your window frame go for it, just watch the daily patterns. If you extend the quest to Lumpy and the rest of RMNP you'll pretty much have something cool to climb every day.
-The Bowel of the Owl
-rat/tigers tooth
-Turnkorner (they tell me)
-J Crack, mega-star dick wrenching classic!
-don't even go if you don't climb Crack 'o'Fear (kidding, sorta)
-There are worse days than jogging up the keyhole and down the cables, or viesaversa.
or you could drive 100 miles north to vedauwoo and climb every day; june through August. If you make it that many days you will be dead or the strongest climber on earth.
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Euroford
Trad climber
chicago
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Mar 13, 2008 - 06:59pm PT
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lol, toproped crack of fear a couple of years ago. haha, yeah right. i'd die if i tried to lead that thing!
vera climbing that in front range freaks is one of my favorites.
bummed that they moved the parking lot at lumpy. after a day on the rock we'd sit at that picknick table, drink a six pack and get whiplash from looking back and forth between the owls and the diamond.
well not too mention, after a day on kors flake walking any further is kinda a bumber...
i'll be out in boulder in a couple of weeks, doubt I'll get up to the high country though!
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bhilden
Trad climber
Mountain View, CA
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Mar 13, 2008 - 07:05pm PT
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From my experience it really depends on the route you want to do. There is a big patch of snow at the start of the 4th pitch of the Casual Route that can hang around well into July if the spring is wet and cold. So, I don't think you make a blanket statement about the condition of the Diamond.
Of course, if you want to know about the immediate conditions, it is Colorado and it can rain, sleet or snow at just about anytime of the year.
Bruce
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Tarbuster
climber
right here, right now
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Mar 13, 2008 - 08:35pm PT
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Here is a short list of the obvious, classic and prominent big rock climbs in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Not trying to trot out a list of hard-man routes here, just some nice introductory moderates.
I would stay away from all of this stuff on the weekends.
The Diamond, Casual Route 5.10-
Hallett Peak, Culp Bossier, 5.8
Petit Grepon, South Face, 5.8 (SW Corner, less crowded, 5.9)
Mount Meeker, Flying Buttress, 5.9 or 10
Notchtop, Direct South Ridge, 5.9
Spearhead, Sykes Sickle, 5.9
Give me a few minutes and I'll come up with a tick list for Lumpy Ridge.
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Decko
Trad climber
Colorado
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Mar 13, 2008 - 10:09pm PT
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Mid to late July you'll be fine. We can have a huge winter with tons of snow, but it always seems like we get a couple of weeks of super hot dry weather and the park and the Diamond dry out.....
But what do I know I just guided in RMNP for 3 years...
Get an early start, like 1st light and you won't have to worry about lightning
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survival
Big Wall climber
A Token of My Extreme
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Topic Author's Reply - Mar 13, 2008 - 11:04pm PT
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This is so cool you guys. I go away for a few hours and I just come back to more killer beta. It's going to take me awhile just to digest all this. Books to buy, routes to look up, links to look at. Sometimes I get fed up with what seems to be a whacked political site and then a day like this. My faith in climbers is well placed!!
Bruce
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Euroford
Trad climber
chicago
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Mar 14, 2008 - 12:33am PT
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when given a good topic, this site turns around pretty quick!
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Tarbuster
climber
right here, right now
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Mar 14, 2008 - 11:09pm PT
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Lumpy Ridge
Following a solid experience with Yosemite, I found Lumpy Ridge not to be the most tantalizing granite destination. It sometimes presents incipient, quartz crystal lined cracks. Yet, Lumpy provides lots of variety and it is graced with a superb view of RMNP; after a time, you will warm to it and find the area quite charming.
Conversely, for the trad climber visiting Colorado, especially a climber who has enjoyed extensive benefit from the pristine granite of Yosemite, the California Needles, and Taquitz Rock, the novelty of Eldorado Canyon provides far more stimulating an interesting climbing than does Lumpy Ridge, primarily because the complex, flint-hard sandstone of Eldo represents such an enjoyable contrast to most of what one finds in California.
That said, without a good background in complex moves obtained, say, from bouldering, Eldorado can take some getting used to; so alternatively, Lumpy Ridge comprises a lot of climber friendly granite.
The big climbs in RMNP are typically steeper and more demanding than those found at Lumpy Ridge: they fit into the category of somewhat serious high mountain routes, so that's a treat. Lumpy would be a great warmup for The Park and it certainly does have a handful of terrific routes in its own right.
There are so many routes at Lumpy Ridge I would be curious to see what people put on their list of favorites; here's a handful of multi pitch climbs that I liked.
The Owl:
Crack of Fear, 5.10+
(uber classic for the area: OW probably 10-, while the crux is establishing & exiting the undercling)
The Right Book:
Fat City, 5.10B
(offers a good section of clean diagonal hand jamming)
The Bookmark:
Melvin's Wheel, 5.8
(decent and varied crack climbing)
Sundance Buttress:
(arguably one of the better rocks at Lumpy Ridge)
Grapevine, 5.8+ or 9+
(interesting moderate cracks)
Mainliner, 5.9
(varied and interesting crack climbing)
Bonzo, 5.10-
(just one pitch, leading to some optional harder stuff, with some cool jamming through solid diorite intrusions)
Mr. President, 5.10D
(super neato tight chimney, followed by a section of steep, tricky hands)
Turnkorner, 5.10A
(if overhanging squeeze chimney sounds tasty, this route is a must do, good hand jamming as well)
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Toker Villain
Big Wall climber
Toquerville, Utah
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Mar 14, 2008 - 11:57pm PT
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I'm with Bruce and Bob; depends on the route.
The further right the later in the summer you want to catch it.
The route at the left edge, Pervertical Sanctuary, is for pussies I hear.
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goatboy smellz
climber
colorado
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Mar 15, 2008 - 08:14am PT
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Ron, I believe the correct nomenclature is "p@ssies that free solo".
Didn't you get the memo about Steph?
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Tarbuster
climber
right here, right now
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Mar 16, 2008 - 01:09pm PT
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Before The Diamond dries out,
There's still plenty of snow in the backcountry to slide around on...
Yesterday, heading up toward Saint Vrain glacier, along the southern edge of Rocky Mountain National Park:
Sawtooth Peak from the car:
Add motion:
And Sawtooth gets closer:
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Tarbuster
climber
right here, right now
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Mar 16, 2008 - 01:12pm PT
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A few hours later,
Deep into the Saint Vrain drainage:
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Tarbuster
climber
right here, right now
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Mar 16, 2008 - 01:15pm PT
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Add more motion:
Sasquatch tracks:
Elk Tooth sits at the head of the drainage above the glaciers:
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Tarbuster
climber
right here, right now
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Mar 16, 2008 - 01:29pm PT
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My turnaround point, at 4:30 in the afternoon:
Sliding back to the car before nightfall:
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Raydog
Trad climber
Boulder Colorado
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Mar 16, 2008 - 01:35pm PT
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really nice Roy
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Rick A
climber
Boulder, Colorado
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Mar 16, 2008 - 02:45pm PT
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Quite a trek, Roy! I reckon the roundtrip at over 20 miles, and breaking trail the whole way? Even Lisa would consider that a nice workout.
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Tarbuster
climber
right here, right now
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Mar 16, 2008 - 04:45pm PT
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Hi Ricky,
Starting at Beaver Res, well tracked to Cony Flats for the first hour and a half (very popular), then trailbreaking through heavy, wet, sticky snow down the 4WD road into St Vrain drainage, where I met up with about 1/4 mile of tracks, then breaking trail all the rest of the way in.
I usually do it from Peaceful Valley, then past Camp Dick and straight on up the Saint Vrain. Probably the same effort either way, then not quite getting up into the glaciers, my turn around at a small lake in the trees, I figure 16-17 mile RT, usually takes 7.5 hrs going solo.
Left the car at 12 noon, back by 7:30PM. Now if I could roll out of bed before 9am, I might make it all the way in.
No ski poles...Arduous! My hip flexors are toast!!!.
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Tarbuster
climber
right here, right now
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Mar 16, 2008 - 09:04pm PT
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Yo Stich!
Here's a couple snapshots from our tour up to blue Lake in January:
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Tarbuster
climber
right here, right now
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Mar 16, 2008 - 09:07pm PT
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Mr. Stich, proud and goggled up:
Mount Toll, in winter regalia:
Paiute Peak, laid-back and regal:
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WBraun
climber
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Mar 16, 2008 - 09:11pm PT
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I don't see any skiers or tracks in the above bowel.
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Tarbuster
climber
right here, right now
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Mar 16, 2008 - 09:15pm PT
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That's because we spend hours getting to these places and then turn around and go home!
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spectreman
Trad climber
Fort Collins
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Mar 17, 2008 - 03:55pm PT
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Lumpy has some great routes. Here's a list of classics:
Pear Buttress
J-Crack
Melvins Wheel
White Whale
Climb of the Ancient Mariner
Loose Ends
Fat City to Cheap Date (best route at Lumpy?)
Thindependance to Loose Ends to Cheap Date
Stretch Marks
Pressure Drop
Finger Licking Good
Living Dead
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Tarbuster
climber
right here, right now
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Mar 19, 2008 - 04:47pm PT
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High up on Turnkorner, Sundance, at Lumpy Ridge:
Crack of Fear on the Twin Owls:
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Tarbuster
climber
right here, right now
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Mar 19, 2008 - 04:49pm PT
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And speaking of RMNP
The Diamond!
I've only been up it once, via the Yellow Wall.
One of my favorite shots of Layton Kor, cruising those finger locks and long reaches on the Yellow Wall:
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Tarbuster
climber
right here, right now
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Mar 19, 2008 - 04:52pm PT
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The South Ridge of Notchtop, a high quality RMNP 5.9:
Entering the crux headwall, up near the top:
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Tarbuster
climber
right here, right now
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Mar 19, 2008 - 04:57pm PT
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The Petite Grepon:
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Pewf
climber
nederland
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Mar 19, 2008 - 05:04pm PT
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Purty Blue Lake pics!
As for Lumpy, I remember sore toes from pasting feet into those flared crystal filled things that seemed to look so splitter from the ground. But I also remember Orange Julius (spelling?) being fun, with some sort of cool hand traverse. I liked Fat City crack too.
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spectreman
Trad climber
Fort Collins
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Mar 19, 2008 - 07:34pm PT
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Climbers on Casual Route, Black Dagger, Yellow Wall, and D7. George Lowe is the top climber on D7 (I think that's what they did). He did it car to car that day at the age of 70 something?!!!!!
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Toker Villain
Big Wall climber
Toquerville, Utah
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Mar 19, 2008 - 07:53pm PT
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Spectreman,
you are soooo busted.
Don't know when you were there but today George is 64.
I believe the car to car part though.
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spectreman
Trad climber
Fort Collins
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Mar 19, 2008 - 07:59pm PT
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Thanks Ron, That's why the question mark. I couldn't believe he could be in his seventies but I wasn't sure. Pretty impressive even though he is only 64! What a great guy. He was super happy to be up there and was just having a fun outing on the Diamond.
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Tarbuster
climber
right here, right now
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Mar 21, 2008 - 11:37am PT
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From Climbing number 64, January - February 1981
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Tarbuster
climber
right here, right now
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Mar 21, 2008 - 11:38am PT
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Tarbuster
climber
right here, right now
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Mar 21, 2008 - 11:39am PT
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Tarbuster
climber
right here, right now
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Mar 22, 2008 - 12:39pm PT
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From Climbing number 48, May - June 1978:
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Tarbuster
climber
right here, right now
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Mar 22, 2008 - 12:40pm PT
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Rhodo-Router
Gym climber
Otto, NC
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Mar 22, 2008 - 12:48pm PT
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survival-
take note in that picture of all the parties on the Diamond. See how the Casual Route is the only one featuring permanent shade? It's too bad that this is the easiest route on the face, but so it goes. You get a couple pitches in the sun before you traverse into that corner, and then you shiver and wonder what's taking homie so friggin' long to lead that pitch. Possibly it's wet. Likely you are waiting for other parties. Piton Ron's effort over to the left, Pervertical Sanctuary, is a bit harder (sustained but straightforward jamming) but soaks up solar gain as long as it's there to soak. The Diamond Freeway, a link-up involving several routes on the right side of the Yellow wall, is also a good bet for 5.10 crack climbing.
Any way you slice it, the place is rad. I don't even go up there until I see a bit of Canadian clarity sweeping down to push the thunderstorms out in the late summer, cuz it's a long way to go to end up bailing and I've had enough close calls with the lightning for one lifetime. A good strategy for dealing with the likely traffic on such a day is to have a couple of backup routes in mind and the rack to climb them in case someone has beat you to the chosen line. Stuff still falls off up there,
p1, yellow wall
and fighting over one foothold freezing with your partner at a hanging stance is a crummy way to spend a Diamond day.
And then, you look over to the right to see the happy people climbing in the sun on the Red Wall...this is indeed excellent training for the Diamond- same approach, shorter routes, same altitude. I have never climbed there.
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survival
Big Wall climber
A Token of My Extreme
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Topic Author's Reply - Mar 24, 2008 - 02:09am PT
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YEAH!! I have been out of town for a week and you guys just rolled it up. It's the middle of the night here, so I'll have to tackle some of that text later. Really got ol' Roy going with posting some ultra cool stuff there. I'm getting psyched but of course won't have time to take in near what I want. Thanks for the great stuff.
B
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neebee
Social climber
calif/texas
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Mar 24, 2008 - 02:59am PT
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hey there ydp18s...man, WHAT A PICTURE!...
thanks for the share of it....
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neebee
Social climber
calif/texas
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Mar 24, 2008 - 03:03am PT
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hey there tarbuster... say, great pics, too... i did not backtrack enough....
just had seen that SHEER ROCK... sure like that snow-range, though.. .thanks guys..
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Tarbuster
climber
right here, right now
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Mar 31, 2008 - 12:05pm PT
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We had spring warming conditions for the last week or so.
But yesterday we got some snow, so I decided to go out for a tour and a look see.
I skied the seven miles up Wild Basin at the southern border of Rocky Mountain National Park,
A nice place to end the tour is Thunder Lake, at the patrol cabin just under the east face of Mount Alice.
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Tarbuster
climber
right here, right now
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Mar 31, 2008 - 12:08pm PT
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Poor visibility yesterday to be sure,
But nice fresh snow and a sweet atmosphere:
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Tarbuster
climber
right here, right now
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Mar 31, 2008 - 12:10pm PT
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Euroford
Trad climber
chicago
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Mar 31, 2008 - 12:12pm PT
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cool map!
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Tarbuster
climber
right here, right now
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Mar 31, 2008 - 12:13pm PT
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The patrol cabin at Thunder Lake, yesterday at 4 p.m.:
The view from Thunder Lake, same time last year:
The view of Mount Alice about 4 miles up the trail, last year, during clear weather.
This is a big face and one of the Southern features in Rocky Mountain National Park:
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survival
Big Wall climber
A Token of My Extreme
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Topic Author's Reply - Mar 31, 2008 - 12:18pm PT
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WOW! Roy, it's fun to look at that map and your photos and sort out a couple things, awesome.
I've had Buggs and Keith on here looking at this stuff too.
Now if I could quit reading and start getting fit!
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bob d'antonio
Trad climber
Taos, NM
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Mar 31, 2008 - 01:09pm PT
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Nice shots Roy....looks like I won't be fishing up Wild Basin anytime soon.
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Tarbuster
climber
right here, right now
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Apr 17, 2008 - 09:12pm PT
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We've been getting some good snow-
Enough that I can still grab a few tasty tours.
Today I went up to Heart Lake, just below the broad cirque at Rogers Pass:
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Tarbuster
climber
right here, right now
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Apr 17, 2008 - 09:15pm PT
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Tarbuster
climber
right here, right now
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Apr 17, 2008 - 09:17pm PT
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survival
Big Wall climber
A Token of My Extreme
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Topic Author's Reply - Apr 17, 2008 - 09:18pm PT
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Hey Tarbuster,
Looks good! That is a gorgeous area, I can't wait to see some of it. Soooo.... lemme see a picture from a little higher up ?....
OOPS! You were sliding them in even as I wrote!
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Tarbuster
climber
right here, right now
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Apr 17, 2008 - 09:18pm PT
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Tarbuster
climber
right here, right now
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Apr 17, 2008 - 09:21pm PT
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Looking at the Continental Divide above Heart Lake:
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Tarbuster
climber
right here, right now
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Apr 22, 2008 - 11:13am PT
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From Climbing number 74, September/October 1982:
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Tarbuster
climber
right here, right now
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Apr 22, 2008 - 11:15am PT
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Tarbuster
climber
right here, right now
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Apr 22, 2008 - 11:28am PT
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Lots of snowfall in a short period of time this winter,
Coupled with a ton of West wind as well...
You may also choose to notice, in the one self-portrait I took,
I am sporting the inaugural adoption of eKat's hat!!!
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Tarbuster
climber
right here, right now
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Apr 22, 2008 - 11:55am PT
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"Tour to turn" spring skiing season is probably just getting underway;
 For the type of ski touring I do, "tour to turn around", we will need a cold snap and a dusting...
And yes, I used a small tripod.
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survival
Big Wall climber
A Token of My Extreme
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Topic Author's Reply - Apr 22, 2008 - 01:08pm PT
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Awesome Roy,
I'll just have to print this whole damn thread and bring it with me. Keep it up!
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Jaybro
Social climber
The West
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Apr 22, 2008 - 01:54pm PT
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"Bold Adventures, Evanston Illinois"
-unh oh, the until now seceret mecca of midwestern mountaineering, has been -'outed'
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Tarbuster
climber
right here, right now
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Apr 26, 2008 - 09:58pm PT
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Got out today for probably the last tour of my ski season.
The Little Haute Route, starting at the East Portal of the Moffat Tunnel and ending at Eldora:
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Tarbuster
climber
right here, right now
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Apr 26, 2008 - 10:10pm PT
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That's eKat's hat, striking a nice profile:
After getting some elevation out of the South Boulder Creek drainage,
You get a pretty good view of James Peak:
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Tarbuster
climber
right here, right now
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Apr 26, 2008 - 10:14pm PT
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The Continental Divide above Forest Lakes:
These cornice are humongous!
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Tarbuster
climber
right here, right now
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Apr 26, 2008 - 10:25pm PT
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Heading under the divide towards Guinn Mountain and Yankee Doodle Lake:
Down in Jenny Creek behind Eldora ski area:
Last tracks:
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survival
Big Wall climber
A Token of My Extreme
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Topic Author's Reply - Apr 27, 2008 - 12:02am PT
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Very cool Roy, I hope the sun shows up and melts some of that stuff before I get there!
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Euroford
Trad climber
chicago
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Apr 27, 2008 - 12:20am PT
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freekin cool stuff.
hoping to hit up lumpy ridge next weekend... never been out there this early in the season, but i hear its in good shape...
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Double D
climber
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Apr 27, 2008 - 01:18am PT
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Nice pics Roy...man that makes me seriously miss back-country skizging!
Had to wonder 'bout this though, "if overhanging squeeze chimney sounds tasty"....seriously? Since when does a squeeze chimney, much less and overhanging one, sound tasty???
I remember BITD doing Hotline,on Elephant Rock, several times and each time, the 10a flared chimney just kicked my arse!
Happy squeezen.
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Robb
Social climber
Pick Up Truck Heaven
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Apr 27, 2008 - 03:42am PT
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Excellent post Roy, looking forward to the late skinny's in the big hills.
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| Messages 1 - 105 of total 105 in this topic |
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