The 2013-2014 Colorado Ice Conditions Thread

Clear Creek?

nicelegs wrote:Clear Creek?

clear creek has some stuff that is in as of sunday.

Coors Lite first few tiers were in, didnt hike up to see the upper section though

Rifle conditions update:
blog.glenwoodclimbingguides…

Anyone been up to Moffatt Tunnel recently?

Alton R. wrote:Anyone been up to Moffatt Tunnel recently?

Go back one page for a report from 4 days ago.

Scott McMahon wrote: Go back one page for a report from 4 days ago.

Awesome, missed that completely. Thanks Scott.

phil wortmann wrote:Springs ice is shaping up well.

Any access to Silver Cascade/Cheyenne Canyon? Thinking of bouldering some tomorrow if I can get in, either off Gold Camp or the canyon.

No yet t

ted cookson wrote: Any access to Silver Cascade/Cheyenne Canyon? Thinking of bouldering some tomorrow if I can get in, either off Gold Camp or the canyon.

The park opens up on the 21st I believe

Jaws is in!!

Jaws Falls 12/13/13

Went up to the Loch Yesterday. I'm pretty sure it's safe to say that EVERYTHING is in as well as smears and curtains that never form up. Here are some pictures from the hike in.

All Mixed Up vicinity.

All Mixed Up.

NW Gully-Thatchtop ice.

Anybody been to the Black Lake slabs recently? I'm assuming those would be all in by now, right?

Micah Lewkowitz wrote:I was surprised to read that the Ames Ice Hose was reported as in good condition. I backed off 20 feet up the second pitch on Saturday 12/7 due to sublimated, non supportable snice. The first pitch is in fatter than the other 2 times I've been on the route but the second classic pitch wasn't even worth climbing in my opinion. The 3rd pitch looked wide and fat from below, but hard to say definitively. Sapphire Bullets of Pure Ice was in good condition, though thin in spots and some seriously deep snow wallowing on the approach. Pitch 1 is steep and chandeliered extensively, mixed climbing out right is a bit easier.

Thanks for the tip on sapphire bullets! It was in excellent shape this weekend. thanks for the trail as well! The route is so fat now, the ice grade is 5+ but the mixed grade is lower at like m4!

One of the best climbs in the L48, every pitch is like the second pitch of the ice hose but much steeper. Get on it everybody!

No Thoroughfare Canyon. Colorado National Monument, December 16th.

Goldrush is super fat including an extra 1/4 pitch at the top and is recently bolted for belays/rappels top-to-bottom by San Juan Mountain Guides (thanks Nate and Mark!).

BBB continues to have a ton of ice on it. The 1.5 pitch of chockstones at the top are just as challenging as ever though. There seems to be a rumor circulating that it's M4 in current conditions. I'd say it's still a solid 5+/6-

Dave Deming wrote:

Regarding the picture of thoroughfare canyon.....did you guys climb it? How is the chimney part in upper part of the pic, looks a little thin?

Notyet, this was a recon run for a Friday morning climb. The right side of the ice had some running water, the left side was solid, if chandeliered for the first fifteen feet. Hopefully it stays cool and shady and I'll get a shot at it. Upper piller seems about 3 feet around, or so, couldn't really get a good angle.

Any word on the conditions in the Firehouse and Racquet Club areas at Vail?

Kevin Craig wrote:Goldrush is super fat including an extra 1/4 pitch at the top and is recently bolted for belays/rappels top-to-bottom by San Juan Mountain Guides (thanks Nate and Mike!). BBB continues to have a ton of ice on it. The 1.5 pitch of chockstones at the top are just as challenging as ever though. There seems to be a rumor circulating that it's M4 in current conditions. I'd say it's still a solid 5+/6-

P1 of Goldrush. Definitely not thin this year.

The Ribbon and BBB as 12-7-13.

Can anyone tell me about the shape of Officer's Gulch? Particularly The Shroud? I am assuming with the low avy danger, that this area is safe for now? Thanks!