SKYLINE TOMORROW (THURS, DEC 5)

[srjohnson]

Hello all!

Anyone doing Skyline tomorrow (THURS DEC 5)? From what I can gather from the tramcams and message board there's seems to be little to no snow on the high traverse.

Forecasts say snow is coming through on Friday night or Saturday, so I'd like to get up there before that. I have done Skyline before, but I have no spikes/crampons, ice axe or snowshoes.

Skyline should be clear of deep snow and dangerous ice right?

Anyone who thinks its a bad idea to try without the crampons and ice equipment, PLEASE LET ME KNOW AND WARN ME AWAY!

THANKS!

[Screerider]

Just looked out back. Clear with clouds to the west and I don't see any snow. Can't say about ice.

[Ellen]

Howdy,
Sally and I went up today. Carried micro spikes but did not need them. A bit of rime ice on traverse but not slippery. Have a great time tomorrow.
Miles of smiles,
Ellen

[Florian]

It will be chilly. Forecast low for Palm Springs tonight is 36°.

-Florian

[zippetydude]

I agree with Scree, it's early season yet for the snow to form a real hazard. That being said, microspikes are cheap and make the hike more fun since you don't have to worry about a little ice or snow pack here and there, you can just slip 'em on and slip 'em off anytime you need 'em. Too late for your current plans, but I love the ones I have and in conditions like these they really do make a difference. Have fun up there!

z

[arocknoid]

srjohnson--what zip says. Have fun tomorrow without microspikes, and keep your eyes peeled for discounts. Last year EMS (Eastern Mountain Sports) had 30% off for quite awhile.

They are lighter to carry "just in case" than are crampons and piolet, but I am still incautious enough to risk a news story, "At the bottom of the chute, his 'spikes were found on his pack, not his boots."

If you use trekking poles, they can offer enough extra security that sporadic short stretches of slick sections seem safe sans spikes. "oopsie! D'oh!"

and zip, congrats on the high desert ultra. We're not getting any younger (speaking for mois, at least), and my hat is tipped to you sir, from the other side of the hill.

kind regards,
arocknoid

(Hey zip--movie link--"52 Pickup" with Roy Scheider, Ann Margaret, John Glover, based on novel by Elmore Leonard RIP--Roy too--fun flick. musical pun of Clarence Williams III whistling a tune post-murder, title is the laugher...John Glover is superb, his best role...look for SoCal Locales )

[towbradley]

As of 5:30 this morning, its raining in murrieta......wow, good job weatherman..lol

[Hikin_Jim]

I am still incautious enough to risk a news story, "At the bottom of the chute, his 'spikes were found on his pack, not his boots.

That literally happened to a hiker on Baldy in 2004. He was found dead at the bottom of a chute. His crampons where strapped firmly to his backpack.

HJ

[arocknoid]

Also the case with a gent in his 40s @ Falling Rock Canyon in 2006 I think it was. Very sad, always.

Twice I have almost traversed the big chute on Baldy Ski Hut Trail (the one beyond the mine, made larger by hydraulics/monitors) without putting on my crampons when the snow seemed *doable with care and poles*, only to pause and visualize the epitaph/news item. Whatta maroon.

When in doubt, there is no doubt.

Microspikes are much quicker and more convenient than crampons to don and doff for scattered sections; good niche in-wention.

kind regards, Jim
arocknoid

true confession also compels disclosure that at too many other times I have avoided putting on crampons briefly , 'to save time.' Prolly used up that luckpile.

[Hikin_Jim]

Whatta maroon.

Oh dear. Off color remarks.

HJ