Snow Creek, North Face of San Jacinto

[mountainman1981]

Hello, trying to find some avalanche forecasting data for San Jacinto. I haven't found any forecasts that extend that far south. I'm thinking of doing the Snow Creek route within the next two weeks. At this point, I'm a bit concerned with all of the recent snow. I watched the winds on the mountain during the last storm and the conditions would have seemed to allow for some heavy accumulation on the north side of the peak with some substantial wind loading. I'm also a bit concerned with the exposure getting back to the tram. I was up there the week before the recent storm and above ten thousand feet the snow pack had become extremely hard and icy in many areas. Any thoughts?

[neverwashasbeen]

Conditions should be very loose and unstable for the next few weeks. It will take some warmer weather to consolidate the snow high on the north face.

[Perry]

Hiking from the tram, it's difficult to tell how consolidated the north face is because it receives significantly less sunlight. As you might already know, the snow tongue starts at 5,500 feet even though that elevation doesn't get very much snowfall in the winter. The reason there's so much snowpack there is because of avalanches.

Late March and early April is considered the (illegal) "climbing season." If you have any delays, the upper layer softens in the late morning and afternoon sun. I don't think I'll do it again without 2" crampon points (like Grivels). Standard 1" points slip too much when the snow softens on a steep slope.

[Cy Kaicener]

Mountainman - Here is a trip report from Robb who climbed and ski-ed back down Snow Creek last March
http://pullharder.org/2009/03/16/solo-a ... k-couloir/

http://mtsanjacinto.info/viewtopic.php?t=1371

[climberslacker]

Ive heard that there might be a group climb of snow creek in the works for this year like the one last year, any validity to this? If so you might want to do that for your first time, I know I will

-CS

[Cy Kaicener]

Yes - Miguel and Dave are planning on going early in March or mid March this year.

[climberslacker]

Can i get in on their trip up snow creek?

-CS

[mountainman1981]

I'm going to try and give it a a few weeks for the snow to firm up. Have to do it before March 12th when I move to Florida. Thanks for the info guys.

[Cy Kaicener]

Can i get in on their trip up snow creek?

-CS

This link is the best I can do until I have more information
http://www.summitpost.org/plans/activities_list.php

[climberslacker]

Hey cy,

let my know if you have any more info!

thanks!

-Jace