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The 2012-13 Colorado Ice Conditions Thread

Taylor-B. · · Valdez, AK · Joined Oct 2009 · Points: 3,186

Mt. Evans skiing and mixed climbing are in good shape, even nice temps for rock climbing at the Lincoln Lake Slabs. The routes Snork Maiden, Mini Micro, and Iration are all in good shape.

Brian Locke · · Salt Lake City, UT · Joined Jun 2013 · Points: 0

Climbed Dreamweaver today.. conditions were great. Snow/ice all the way to the top, which should last at least through the weekend. Microspikes would have been nice, but definitely not required.

Unfortunately, one of my BD vipers got lost b/w the summit and the loft while bailing ahead of a storm front. If anyone finds it, I'd be stoked to reimburse you to get it back!

Martin le Roux · · Superior, CO · Joined Jul 2003 · Points: 401

The Hourglass Couloir on Arrowhead is melting fast. We managed to get up pitch 1 although there was running water at the first chockstone (my partner Steve did the leading). It might have been possible to climb further but we bailed because of icefall from above. Another party was starting the climb as we hiked out; don't know how they fared.

MtnLife · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Mar 2013 · Points: 45

Anyone know if Total Abandon is still in?

GLD · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jan 2012 · Points: 83

Brian, I didn't see your tool on our walk-off but there are plenty of ways down.

I disagree with the need for micro-spikes for the approach, we brought them but didn't need them. (THat's not a dig at Brian, that's me trying to let people know accurate conditions). Only patchy snow up until chasm lake with the worst being just as you leave tree-line.

Brian Locke · · Salt Lake City, UT · Joined Jun 2013 · Points: 0

^I appreciate you taking a look for the tool, GLD! I think we traversed a bit lower than we should have off the summit - had to scramble across a ton of rocks. Might end up waiting for things to melt out more and hiking around up there to look for it

Chris Gibbs · · Denver, CO · Joined Feb 2011 · Points: 55

Hallett Chimney was a bit melted out yesterday. Plenty of choss, sketchy snow, running water and "classic drytooling" if that's your flavor.

Hallett Chimney, 6-15-2013.

Jason Maki · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Mar 2012 · Points: 95

Good view of the crux on Hallett Chimney. Nothing but wet, classic dry tooling as far as the eye can see!

Hallett Chimney, 06-15-2013.

Mark E Dixon · · Possunt, nec posse videntur · Joined Nov 2007 · Points: 974

Did anybody happen to climb/see Skywalker on S Arapaho recently? One of my kids is interested in climbing it with me this week.

seth0687 · · Fort Collins · Joined Nov 2007 · Points: 375

Did skywalker a couple days ago. I'd recommend starting up the apron by 7am at the latest. Any later and the upper half will be baked and insecure towards the top. Couple small "schunds" to pass towards the top as well.

All in all it's probably still in good condition.

Seth

Mark E Dixon · · Possunt, nec posse videntur · Joined Nov 2007 · Points: 974

Skywalker was great yesterday, styrofoam snow all the way. First sunhit on last pitch about 8:50. Direct finish well covered. Bottom half was soft but easily climbable as late as 1 PM.

Scott McMahon · · Boulder, CO · Joined Feb 2006 · Points: 1,425
Mark E Dixon wrote:Skywalker was great yesterday, styrofoam snow all the way. First sunhit on last pitch about 8:50. Direct finish well covered. Bottom half was soft but easily climbable as late as 1 PM.
Thanks Mark, I was eyeballing it on Tuesday and couldn't tell from a distance about the exits.
Jason Maurer · · Colorado · Joined Jun 2009 · Points: 790

Runnel yet? Skiable?

Scott McMahon · · Boulder, CO · Joined Feb 2006 · Points: 1,425

I took these Tuesday afternoon.

Skywalker 1.

Skywalker 2.

Jason Maurer · · Colorado · Joined Jun 2009 · Points: 790

Thanks for posting those pics Scott.. Looks like spring ski season is over..

Scott McMahon · · Boulder, CO · Joined Feb 2006 · Points: 1,425
J1. wrote:Thanks for posting those pics Scott.. Looks like spring ski season is over..
I think there is still time! Jasper and the surrounding slopes still had alot of snow. There are still plenty of chutes and slopes left to do, but as everyone has stated get up in the middle of the night.

Two weeks ago I was skinning up at the Brainard / Aududon area and it was knee to thigh deep, but sloppy at 6ish.

These are also Tuesday.

IPW, 6/25.

IPW 2, 6/25.

Audubon / Toll 6/8

Brainard Lake, 6/8/13.
Jason Maurer · · Colorado · Joined Jun 2009 · Points: 790

NICE!! Ya, Ive been eying Toll from town and it still looks pretty good..
I'm guessing the road is open by now ??

Scott McMahon · · Boulder, CO · Joined Feb 2006 · Points: 1,425

Road is open, haha I think I was one of the last few to have to bike it. Really LOTS to get after and the big bowls are full, although I'd proceed with some caution from the heat. Looks like a good icy fall hopefully!

Fritz for inspiration..

makingturns.com/

Scott McMahon · · Boulder, CO · Joined Feb 2006 · Points: 1,425

Skywalker is melting out fast. Both the left and right lower aprons were almost completly melted out in just about 5 days. Snow was hard neve' on the lower half (harder than expected), then melted out quick on the upper half. One constriction was about 4 ft. wide and we punched through to water.

Still climbable but with these temps and constant rain its going fast.

Me looking like a goober..

Skywalker, 7/4/13.

Scott McMahon · · Boulder, CO · Joined Feb 2006 · Points: 1,425

Any idea on the conditions on Queens Way/ Apache Couloir area? I know with the heat and rain things are dimishing quickly.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Colorado
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