The 2010 Colorado Ice Conditions Thread

Has anyone seen Ames Ice Hose lately? Any beta would help.

Thanks,
Aaron

Steve Williams wrote:Curious about the road conditions down to Mt. Lincoln ice? Thanks!

Steve, I'd say possible if you put the studs on your hybrid; it's plowed and the parking and clearance are no big deal, but there are intermittent patches of hard-packed & ice on the dirt roadway -- getting back up and out may be the crux of the day. The ice itself is that eggshelled or dinner plated typical lincoln easy 3. I hate egg shells and I lost all my style points (if I ever had any to begin with), unless I really was aspiring to be a monkey f'n a football.

Thanks, Mark!

Vail Dec. 11, 2010. What a blast, climbing the Desi with 40 feet of chandeliered ice. Won't stay that way long :-)

Here are some Pics of Ames Ice Hose from 12 Dec 2010. My buddy Brent lead the first pitch on 2 x 13cms and 1 x 10cms. I doubt they would have held anything. He just planned on not falling.... 2nd pitch really fun and interesting climbing.

First Pitch of Ames

2nd Pitch of Ames

Third Pitch of Ames

Hidden Falls, RMNP - in, solid, getting lots of traffic, heavily picked.

JP showing that crampons are optional.
Left of Hidden Falls, WI2 - in, fat.
Dribble right of Hidden Falls - not much.
Trail in - maybe 3-4" of snow total. Very low. Best to take horse trail, ice over creek looks thin.
S. St. Vrain - minimal icicles.

Delicious frozen treat.
saw this in the Tyndall today...doesn't come in this good very often!
Planning on getting the holiday snow and ice report published for RMNP in the next few days...lots of ice on south aspects and a 2m deep and mostly strong snowpack around Dream and Emerald Lakes- pretty sweet at the moment.

I was planning on spending 4 days at Ouray, starting the 28th, but saw that the Park is mostly closed. Does anyone know the conditions of areas nearby? Having a hard time finding info for the area..

Thanks,
james

Desert Climber wrote:I was planning on spending 4 days at Ouray, starting the 28th, but saw that the Park is mostly closed. Does anyone know the conditions of areas nearby? Having a hard time finding info for the area.. Thanks, james

Check out the Ouray Ice Park web site I believe that they are opening up selected areas again as of Dec 25th. Also looking to find climbing partners as I will be up there the 30,31,and 1 if you want to climb PM me.

Desert Climber wrote:I was planning on spending 4 days at Ouray, starting the 28th, but saw that the Park is mostly closed. Does anyone know the conditions of areas nearby? Having a hard time finding info for the area.. Thanks, james

Schoolroom and Kids Wall were reportedly open today. It's gotten much colder today and supposed to continue a cooling trend. Photos some friends took of the upper bridge area show huge cracks across the popular climbs (Pic o the Vic, Tangled up in Blue etc.). Website says they're going to knock these down and start over (don't know how true that is). Could be a while before the ice there is fat again if they start over. Many backcountry areas are under Considerable avy danger right now, but I'm guessing with the wet, heavy snow they got, it could settle down reasonably quickly (no guarantees). Skylight is reportedly in reasonable shape, but only has so many climbs and no where else to climb right now for regular folks or guides with clients.

If anyone heads into the Long's cirque, be extra wary of snow conditions. I read on the CAIC forecast page that Lamb's Slide avalanched to the firn (summer snow). Also, Battle Mountain in that area saw a slide as well. Seems like avy conditions are scary moderate right now, as in things seem safe until the entire snowpack slides, and the sh*t really hits the fan.

San Luis Valley update: Zapata Falls is in, flows along the Conejos River are in, Blue Plate Special and Diamond in the Rough are in.

Went skiing at Eldora today (12/26) and checked on the ice. BoCan Ice not happening...lots of water, de-lamination and sun baking. It's just been too warm during the days for it to form up properly.

Anybody know if Hidden Falls in Glenwood is in?

Clear Creek is not even close even though I saw some guys walking up to Coors Lite today.

Hiking up to West Gully yesterday (12/29) took this shot of AMU.

AMU, 12/29/10.

I doubt it with the rain and warm temps we have had

Tombo wrote:Anybody know if Hidden Falls in Glenwood is in?

Jaws Ice Fall - RMNP - 12/30/2010
looking a wee bit lean.

Jaws Ice fall on 12-30-2010

base of the route Skylight and it was 0ºF

Skylight, Dec. 31.

Dear Jamie,
There is plenty of beta on th e-net that the ice park is crap right now. It doesnt take a genius that the ice is crap after a huge rain/warm spell. So check out weather forcast, San Juan Mtn. Guides have a good blog, Ouray Ice Climbing Park web site is a good bet, or you can get on MP and ask if any one has up to date beta. The Ice Park Crew works relly hard every year to produce a great product, dont trash talk them.