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Conditions in the Winds

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Simone M · · Bishop · Joined Mar 2013 · Points: 5

Does anyone know what the snow levels are looking like? Are they existent at all? Any word on mosquito pleasantries?

Just looking for a quick update if anyone has been out there lately…

Thank you and it's much appreciated!

DavisMeschke Guillotine · · Pinedale, WY · Joined Oct 2013 · Points: 225

Snow isn't a problem unless you're looking for it. In that case, things are pretty well consolidated. Cirque is in good condition, Titcomb is in good condition. We've had a lot of hot weather recently (minus the past few days of rain). Big are pretty normal for this time of year, but that just means they're bad. You're pretty much forced to eat in the tent unless you like extra protein. PM me if you have any other questions. Cheers

Brian in SLC · · Sandy, Utah · Joined Oct 2003 · Points: 21,711

Was at the Green River Lakes last weekend. Skeeters and horse flies were plentiful.

highaltitudeflatulentexpulsion · · Colorado · Joined Oct 2012 · Points: 35

To follow up the skeeters question.

15 years ago I backpacked there and there were a lot but it didnt seem like too big of a deal. It sounds like they are worse now.

I'm hoping to go the cirque in August. Are we talking bug mask proportions? Does it get cold enough at night that they stop buzzing a little? Would it be suicide to bring my packable hammock?

How about the actual act of climbing? I've climbed in areas with skeeters a'plenty and found them to be a non issue above 100', is this true in the winds?

Finally, are the ice cream cones in Farson still comically oversized?

highaltitudeflatulentexpulsion · · Colorado · Joined Oct 2012 · Points: 35

Good info, thanks.

Have you been this year or just in general? I ask because with the moisture, I wonder if this year is worse than normal.

DavisMeschke Guillotine · · Pinedale, WY · Joined Oct 2013 · Points: 225

We had a really wet May. We also got most of our snowpack in May, all of this leading to quite a bit of standing water. The bugs are pretty average for the time of year but the amount of standing water is above.

And yes, bringing a hammock anytime other than around early September on is paramount to extreme blood loss (only sorta kidding on this one). Plus, once September rolls around the night temps in the mountains will start to drop pretty low, making a hammock pretty fuckin useless.

Cheers

Shiho · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Dec 2010 · Points: 100

I was in the winds over the 4th of July and mosquitos were really bad; the worst I have ever experienced so far (not that I have been there a bunch, but that was my 4th time being in the winds in the last 4 years.) It was a lot worse than in the Tetons.

We had mosquito coils and they worked like a magic. It felt better than covering ourselves with DEET.

Tisa · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Sep 2014 · Points: 0

I was just in the Cirque this past weekend and was pleasantly surprised by how un-buggy it was. We didn't even bust out the bug nets. There were a few here and there but nothing crazy. It was pretty windy at our campsite so it's hard to say if this was isolated or not. Just be prepared for anything, we were pretty cold up there but others have said it was really warm the past few weeks. Snows mostly gone you can avoid it.

Alina Garbuzov · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2009 · Points: 0

Heading to the Winds at the end of July! My first time there!
Thanks, everyone, for the snow beta. I am thinking I will leave the crampons in the car.
I have a gear question: I'm planning on climbing some of the classic 5.9-5.10s in the area. What is the best rope(s) to bring? Trying to decide between doubles and a 70M.
Thoughts?
Any other tips for my first time out there?
Thanks!

Shiho · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Dec 2010 · Points: 100
Alina Garbuzov wrote:I have a gear question: I'm planning on climbing some of the classic 5.9-5.10s in the area. What is the best rope(s) to bring? Trying to decide between doubles and a 70M. Thoughts? Any other tips for my first time out there? Thanks!
That really depends on what you are climbing. If you are climbing something like Southwest aret on Lost Temple, then you'd need a 70m. If you are climbing Mt. Michell or feather buttress, then you can get away with a 60m rope. But if you are climbing weather or not, then you need 2 60m ropes, etc.

Marmots eat anything including your flip flops. A bear bin is useful. If you don't have one, then you must hang your food and anything that smells like food. Bring wag bags.
DavisMeschke Guillotine · · Pinedale, WY · Joined Oct 2013 · Points: 225

Start early. Even though the thunderstorms don't really get going til around 1:30, we've been having some really nasty storms lately, especially in the backcountry. With the heat coming back, they'll only get worse.

Cheers

Brian in SLC · · Sandy, Utah · Joined Oct 2003 · Points: 21,711
Alina Garbuzov wrote:I have a gear question: I'm planning on climbing some of the classic 5.9-5.10s in the area. What is the best rope(s) to bring? Trying to decide between doubles and a 70M. Thoughts? Any other tips for my first time out there? Thanks!
Take doubles/twins so you can bail full rope length.

Mosquito repellent.

Sunscreen.

A good rain jacket and enough clothing to survive a night out post storm.
Garret Nuzzo Jones · · Salt Lake City, UT · Joined Feb 2012 · Points: 1,436

Anyone have pictures of the cirque lake area from recently? I was considering a quick blitz trip in to bag the NW of Shark's Nose but I wanted to know if there' still snow leading up to the col with Overhanging Tower.

J Lam · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Oct 2009 · Points: 130

Any conditions update for the Cirque?

Thanks for the help in advance!

Arthur · · Salt Lake City, UT · Joined Feb 2008 · Points: 136

I was up there last weekend (July 18-20). We had a fair amount of rain/snow on Saturday, splitter weather on Sunday and Monday. Things dry out really fast up there but I'd say the weather is highly variable this time of year. Bugs were bad when there was no wind and it was warm, non-existant when it was in the 30s and nuking...

Dingus · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Dec 2011 · Points: 55

Are crowds expected in the Cirque mid august?

highaltitudeflatulentexpulsion · · Colorado · Joined Oct 2012 · Points: 35
Dingus wrote:Are crowds expected in the Cirque mid august?
Me, I'm fat, loud, and fart a lot.
Cameron Sumpter · · Lander, WY · Joined Aug 2010 · Points: 65

Conditions are go for everything - and the bugs are not that bad right now. I was there sat & sunday this past weekend.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Wyoming, Montana, Dakotas
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