skyline conditions

[bdog]

I am thinking of doing Skyline on Sunday and am wondering about the snow conditions near the top. By reading the recent posts it sounds like there may be some ascents tomorrow or Saturday. If someone goes up I would appreciate some feedback. I was hoping to do it without microspikes, but maybe that is wishful thinking.

[PatrickSupra]

I went three weeks ago without spikes and the last mile along the traverse and up to the notch was slippery and treacherous. Then I went a week later WITH spikes and they made life so easy. If you go Sunday, I'll see you on the trail! I'll be starting around 7:30am.

[Lermo]

Microspikes are a safety item in these Winter mountains. They're reasonably cheap and don't take up much room or weigh you down too much. Defiantly a good safety item!

http://www.rei.com/product/774966/kahto ... ion-system

Happy Trails!

[Carl F]

Any updates to the conditions on skyline? Are crampons now in order (at least I do have those). I'm thinking of either going Skyline on Thursday or Skinning up South Fork, depending on Skyline conditions. Any info would be much appreciated.

Cheers and Happy Holidays!

[zippetydude]

Skyline on Sunday was clear, with an easy track to follow and the snow made microspikes the best choice above Flat Rock.

Carl F: Some people ahead of us had worn crampons, which would be fine as well. It's mostly deep enough that you won't be bottoming out hitting/slipping on rocks below, but that may happen a little with crampons.

bdog, it sounds like you'd rather not wear the spikes...if you wanted to try to do it in just boots, the snow wasn't so deep or consolidated that a fall would send you sliding anywhere, but without traction you'd probably put twice as much energy into getting from Flat Rock to the notch. Higher up, the snow is packed into individual footprints that you can step into, which would help with your traction if you didn't have spikes on.

z

[bdog]

Thanks for the info. Microspikes should be arriving today so I will probably wear those.

[Ellen]

Howdy All

THANK YOU to the Dynamic Duo and other greyhounds who broke in the traverse this last weekend

Who wants to go up Skyline mid-week to burn off some calories before the Christmas feast?

Miles of smiles,
Ellen