by boisedoc » Fri Apr 01, 2011 8:39 am
Great message board here. Not to beat a dead horse, but I am going to be in the area next week for a meeting and was going to take some time to take the tram and hike up to the summit via round valley. I am trying to figure out how much winter gear I need to bring down with me as I will have to pay extra to check bags if I am bringing crampons and an axe (unless someone thinks I can bring them as a carry on!). Anyway, looks like the weather has been warm and will be pleasant next week. Since the first tram isnt until 1000am, my main thought is that the hike will be in slush- I was thinking I would bring snowshoes for sure. I dont have instep crampons, and it just doesnt seem like this route is steep enough to warrant bringing 12 point crampons and an ice ax. But.... I have never been down there and would be pretty bummed if I had to turn around because of a steep pitch of hard snow or ice that the showshoes couldnt get traction on (the snowshoes are MSR evo ascent which have fairly aggressive crampons built in). Anyway, any and all thoughts appreciated.