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The 2013-2014 Colorado Ice Conditions Thread

Erik Tasker · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Oct 2010 · Points: 30

Big Thompson was a fun roadside cruise on Saturday.

MTN MIA · · Vail · Joined May 2006 · Points: 405

BBB was most excellent. Great (thin) condition. I give it WI4, M5, 5.8. Six short screws and one set of cams. The last pitch (5.8) has no ice but pro is available when needed.

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

anyone been to the willow lake ice on the approach to Kit Carson. Saw a recent picture of it on 14ers.com but was wondering if it's all baked out and sublimated already.

I'll be heading up that way this weekend to climb kit carson, just wondering if I should throw the tools on the pack and go for it too?

Thanks,

Seth

TheBirdman Friedman · · Eldorado Springs, Colorado · Joined Jan 2010 · Points: 65

Looking for conditions on Martha, the Dutchman, and Dreamweaver. Also, mostly curious about the approach to Chasm. Bootpack? Skis? Anyone have any information or pictures?

Jonathan Awerbuch · · Boulder, Colorado · Joined Nov 2013 · Points: 41

I was up that way today. Sorry, no photos -- it was a whiteout. There was a large debris pile at the bottom of Lambs' Slide. Then I watched a fairly large avalanche shoot out of the notch couloir and fall down onto mills glacier. I peed my pants and went home. There was 1-2 feet of new storm slab on almost everything, and it was still snowing hard.

I did martha two weeks ago and it was ok, though a bit of a slog. I'd expect the same, but now with more loose snow. I'd guess it will consolidate and improve quickly over the next week or so, depending on conditions. Martha might be the best bet, although I'd wait a bit.

Since the Dutchman and Dreamweaver are similar aspects to Lambs slide (which obviously went big at some point), and all the new storm slab loading the snowpack, I'd be careful with those.

Hope this helps.

Jonathan Awerbuch · · Boulder, Colorado · Joined Nov 2013 · Points: 41

Oh -- the approach: I just bootpacked in, and it was ok more or less. The trail and the shortcuts below treeline are packed well and easy in boots.

Mills moraine, however, has a fair amount of snow and is not tracked out. A light crappy pair of skis might be quicker than boots here, but are not necessary.

Alan Arnette · · Ft. Collins, CO · Joined Dec 2005 · Points: 20

Longs Diamond, Lamb's Slide, etc from Lady Washington noon 5 April 14

Diamond.

Lamb's Slide.

Diamond/Broadway.

mthomas · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Sep 2009 · Points: 30
Janette · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Dec 2011 · Points: 230
JonW wrote: Headed to Black Lake yesterday with hope of climbing the West Gully. There was a quite a bit of snow on the route and the snow slopes above the upper pitches looked scary enough to convince us to climb something else. As a result, we climbed around the Black Lake Slabs for a little while. There was a lot of snow on the slabs as well, and we were post holing to our hips at times slogging around.
Anyone ventured out that way recently? Particularly WG & Stoneman?
MyFeetHurt · · Glenwood, CO · Joined Oct 2011 · Points: 10
Janette wrote: Anyone ventured out that way recently? Particularly WG & Stoneman?
I climbed WG just over a week ago, it was in and fat.
Nick Venechuk · · Golden, CO · Joined Sep 2008 · Points: 60

More of a ski question, but has anyone taken a look at Dragontail or Dead Elk lately? Is there ice at the top or is it snow all the way? Looking to possibly head up this weekend.

Joshua Payne · · Los Alamos, NM · Joined May 2013 · Points: 55
Janette wrote: Anyone ventured out that way recently? Particularly WG & Stoneman?
I was up there this weekend. West Gully was in but covered in snow. Too sketchy for us to attempt.
Taylor-B. · · Valdez, AK · Joined Oct 2009 · Points: 3,186

Nice firm travel in the AM. Deborah climbed good, this next storm cycle could make it in better shape. Lots of shedding on solar aspects, especially McHenry's Peak.

Unknown climbers on West Gulley.

West Gully and McHenry's Peak.

Jim Clarke · · Summit Park, UT · Joined Jun 2009 · Points: 1,596

Hero ice at Pumphouse in Vail if you want a quick few laps…should be good for a while.

Buff Johnson · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Dec 2005 · Points: 1,145

anyone know if Lincoln is in yet?

Rocky_Mtn_High · · Arvada, CO · Joined Apr 2010 · Points: 230

Yesterday a friend and I decided to head back back to Lyons from the Park via Hwy 7 (due to the road construction on 36). On a lark we decided to check out Hidden Falls on the way home, and I was a bit surprised that it was still climbable. Definitely the warmest day I've ever climbed on ice (must have been mid-50s)!

Hidden Falls, 12 Apr 2014.

GLD · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jan 2012 · Points: 83
Nick Venechuk wrote:More of a ski question, but has anyone taken a look at Dragontail or Dead Elk lately? Is there ice at the top or is it snow all the way? Looking to possibly head up this weekend.
No ice at top in left fork dragpntail butt very hard pack. I skied from the top this Saturday. Did botttom of dead elk in much nicer conditions when it had softened in early afternoon.
Nick Venechuk · · Golden, CO · Joined Sep 2008 · Points: 60

Thanks GLD, I did Dragontail on Saturday too, probably saw you out there.

Anyone else who's looking at it, coverage is great from the top to the lake, I heard from some guys who did both that Dead Elk is in all the way to the top as well. Saturday was pretty hard as it wasn't very sunny but there's a good bootpack.

Jeremy Joseph · · Glenwood Springs, CO · Joined May 2011 · Points: 435

Anyone know how ames ice hose is looking? First pitch?

Freddy.Mondale Mondale · · Boulder, CO · Joined Apr 2011 · Points: 55

I did dead elk on friday 4-11 and it wasn't totally covered. The usual rock step is dry leaving you with a short downclimb or rappel. The next 100 feet had some rock dodging but then cruiser awesomeness on the lower half and apron.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Colorado
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