Conditions?

[Ellen]

Howdy All

Did any intrepid folks hike from the tram yesterday? Wondering how much new snow fell and whether crampons or snowshoes are better.

Miles of smiles,
Ellen

[unclear]

I'd also appreciate anyone's input on whether Skyline is currently safe to hike this week, and whether crampons are necessary.

Jake

[snakeback]

I hiked in from the Tram to RV on Saturday, stayed the night, and hiked back on Sunday. We had a few inches of snow fall on us overnight. My buddy had a tree branch fall off and clobber him in his tent overnight, so we didnt go up to wellmans and/or peak like we intended. But I was told by everyone I saw coming down that Crampons/Axe were needed to go much higher. I myself used microspikes because there were some icy pathces, so there could possibly be more. I think Snow Shoes would be fine though, especially if they are getting more snow.

[Ellen]

Howdy SnakeBack

Would love to hear the story behind your screen name

Thanks for the information. I'm headed back up Wednesday with Sally and will post about conditions from the tram to the summit.

Miles of smiles,
Ellen

[snakeback]

Hi everyone. Does anyone have intel about what the conditions are like up there? If I go for a Tram to peak day hike on Saturday, should I bring snowshoes? Spikes? Crampons? all the above?

[halhiker]

I'd be real careful out there right now. These weather conditions are very similar to those about six years ago when my friend, James Simons, fell to his death on ice on the Skyline. That year several people slipped and fell on ice due to the warm days and cold nights. Until we get some good beta--probably from Steve or Fern--I'd think about taking crampons and an ice axe. In the days leading up the James' accident, people fell and died on Mount Baldy. With Michelle Yu's accident this past weekend I'd hate to see history repeat itself.

[Hikin_Jim]

The year that Hal is referring to is also the year that my father fell to his death in an ice related accident.

Be careful out there.

HJ

[Vnthali]

Hal and Jim do you think theconditins on San G are similar in terms of the ice conditions that you described here?

[Hikin_Jim]

Hal and Jim do you think theconditins on San G are similar in terms of the ice conditions that you described here?

I really don't know, but when experienced hikers start sliding 2000' off mountains (Michelle Yu this past weekend), it's eerily similar to 2004. Watch your butt.

HJ

[Vnthali]

Thanks for the insight Jim. I'm gonna take a pass until we get better intel or another good snowfall. I don't like it when I slide 40 feet.