Avalanche Conditions

[lasportivaclimber]

Is there a website like Eastern Sierra Avalanche Conditions for the San Jacinto area. I'm trying to get the current conditions for the North Face Route and around the tram area with all this new snow.

[GigaMike]

If you talking about the Snow Creek NF route, my guess is that it's in prime avi condition right now. I would avoid it like the plague. My .02

[halhiker]

There's really not anything like that for San Jacinto. Avalanches are very rare on San Jacinto although they do happen. I've climbed through avalanche detritus in Snow Creek before but it was an obviously small avalanche.

I've never heard of an avalanche on the East Face but it seems possible. The angle of the slope seems to be within the parameter of avalanche probability. I think why they don't happen more has more to do with the snow conditions that anything else.

Anyway, be careful. We didn't have any rain out here in the desert but I heard it rained in LA and I talked to people who drove over Hwy. 74 and they said it was snowing like crazy up there.

[Cy Kaicener]

I would think that avalanche conditions would be high for the next two months. I have heard that some climbers from the summitpost.org forum were thinking of Snowcreek for March 14, so that might be the best place to get your information and ask questions. Here is a recent link
http://www.summitpost.org/route/155928/snow-creek.html

http://www.summitpost.org/trip-report/3 ... -2008.html

[ajwoodzy]

I have heard that some climbers from the summitpost.org forum were thinking of Snowcreek for March 14, so that might be the best place to get your information and ask questions.

I am on that group

[jonmeek16]

I have heard that some climbers from the summitpost.org forum were thinking of Snowcreek for March 14, so that might be the best place to get your information and ask questions.

I am on that group

I was going to go on this trip that Miguel's putting together, but I think I might be heading out there this Sunday instead with some people. Should be able to rope up if it's sketchy at all.

[Rick Kent]

This Sunday? Sounds ballsy to me. Be careful. Rapid build-up of snow from current storms could present a hazard on the north face. The chutes there form an avalanche funnel with little chance of escape. There's a reason there are no trees growing in the middle of those chutes. Perhaps this week will allow enough time for things to set up but I know I would be quite paranoid myself.

-Rick

[lilbitmo]

Rick is quite accurate about the conditions. In the winter of 2004/2005 there was quite a bit of "Slide on the North Side Bowls". Trees were down all over the place at the bottom of those bowls.

This years Weather Events are very similar to that "Winter".

Be safe, enjoy.

[zippetydude]

"I know I would be quite paranoid myself."

What a great description! I know when I go up chutes in the winter, even when the snow is well consolidated, I have this sneaking suspicion in the back of my mind that something just may let loose...

One time going up a chute on San G, it was just a little too dicey, so I moved up and out of the chute to an area with a few trees every so often. At one point, I took a step and a sheet about 30' across cracked, creaked, and moved a couple inches, but stopped. I've got to give it to real mountaineers - these people have got guts.

Good luck out there, I hope the snow stays in place for you!

z

[jonmeek16]

thanks Rick. we're kinda playing it by ear for now. looks like a storm is supposed to come in sunday night too! if this storm system moves through and it heats up to the 70's hopefully the snow will all form together and any danger will somewhat disappear...

who know!