Conditions?

[bluerail]

It's pretty slippery above 7000' .....I know I'm going somewhere without ice to walk on this weekend.

[leeza22]

My husband and I were planning to go up over Christmas weekend (conditions permitting) for a couple of days. We are planning to take crampons, ice axe, and snowshoes. Is it dangerous even with those? I've never hiked the round valley trail. How steep/dangerous is it? Any input is appreciated.

[guest]

Hi Leeza22,
Haven't been past the tram in a couple weeks, but then it was fairly hard-packed,(on the traveled sections, good & softer in non-traveled) but decent snow.
It appears there's only a few inches left around Long Valley, probably a bit more higher up.
It's warming to high 40's & low 50's at 8,500 ft. so there's melting & freezing happening.
I'd bring cramp-ons, (or at least micro-spikes), but if it's hard-packed snow & ice the 10 pointers have better bit & grip.
I'd doubt snowshoes will do much good, unless your heading above 10k.

ss[/u]

[leeza22]

Thank you. That's helpful. Yeah...we will definatelly take crampons and ice axes

[Hikin_Jim]

I don't intend to freak anyone out with my comments. I think going from the tram to Round Valley would most likely be fine.

I was thinking of people who might be going to places with significant exposure, for example, Skyline. Skyline is where James Simon had his fatal accident. Those chutes that you have to cross have been the site of several different accidents including that one marine last year who went down 800' and lived. He lived, but I wouldn't count on that happening twice.

Stay abreast of conditions, bring the proper equipment, file a route plan with a friend or family member before you leave, and always be prepared to abort if you get to a spot where it's just too darn risky.

HJ

[guest]

I second that Jim, there are some areas, Skyline for sure being one, that's it's just best to wait until conditions are safe. I was on Skyline 4 days before James went, the snow wasn't too bad for an experienced climber, but another layer fell & made it treacherous!
Have fun out there & be safe!

ss

[rdarius]

I want to hike skyline Dec 18. Right now (from my driveway) it appears there is no ice or snow. Does anyone know different?

[Hikin_Jim]

I want to hike skyline Dec 18. Right now (from my driveway) it appears there is no ice or snow. Does anyone know different?

I'm not sure looking out from the font yard is an accurate way to tell if there are ice patches in the trees. The spots you can see are the same spots that the sun can hit, and the ice is gone there. It's the places you can't see that are the problem. The places that are hard to see are the places the sun has a hard time getting into, and that's where the ice will be. It's been really warm the last few days -- but that can actually work against you since it causes a lot of melt. All that melt can then refreeze at night, leaving really slick conditions.

Really the only way to tell is to talk to people that have first hand info. You could also go up the tram and go down the route a ways just to check things out. I'd say just try it and be prepared to turn around if it gets icy, but with Skyline that "just turn around if it gets icy" approach doesn't work well because it's such a freakin' long way down. After you've come up to 7000', the temptation to risk it rather than sucking it up and hiking all the way back down is just too strong.

Just my thoughts,

HJ

[neverwashasbeen]

I had family up in Long Valley yesterday, they reported patches of ice in the shady areas. Based on that, I would expect ice in the sun protected gullies on the traverse.

[guest]

Went up Sat, 2/3 of the snow disappeared from the previous week, only small patches of ice left.
WX is calling for slight chance of rain (snow up higher), starting Friday night through the wkend.
Micro-spikes & poles are always a good thing to have this time of year.

Update:
Today, Wed night, clouds are hanging around, it's beginning to feel like rain is coming, so keep check the WX reports & this board, if it dumps, it's a whole differnt climb!

Ever wanted to know what a snowflake really is???
Well, if you can keep up with this wx gal's speed demo, you'll know!

http://www.accuweather.com/video/708568 ... wflake.asp

ss