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Beehive/Vedauwoo - climbing in the cold

Original Post
Will Vazquez · · Grand Junction · Joined Dec 2013 · Points: 20

Looking to possibly climb this Thanksgiving weekend at beehive or maybe in vedauwoo proper. The weather calls for highs around 30, but not too windy. The left side of beehive seems like it would stay in the sun and out of the wind enough to be pleasant in the cold... or do you think it would just be miserable? I can accept being cold, but I'm not good at climbing when my hands are numb.

Also are there any suggestions for places in vedauwoo that are good to climb in the winter? I'm new to trad, so are there any climbs 5.7 and easier that warm up in the sun?

Thanks for any suggestions

Duncan · · Seattle · Joined Feb 2010 · Points: 220

Winter:
Grey Rock, when the approach isn't burried
Warm days at Turkey Rock, see above and when road is passable
Shelf Road
Or
Gloves and boots. It's fun but cold.

JNE · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Apr 2006 · Points: 2,110

When cutting my teeth as a trad climber at Vedauwoo I found the best use of my time in the winter was to go bouldering, and I would usually reserve the spring and winter just for that. The trick at Vedauwoo is staying out of the wind that time of year. For routes, the best option is usually a south or southeast facing wall with a bit of wind buffer around it such as The Short Wall, the southeast side of The Nautilus, and the southeast side of Holdout. I am sure there are other options as well.

My favorite thing to do though was layer up and go OW bouldering. On mild snow years, we used to have tons of fun climbing several days a week up there all winter. Access is usually quite limited for most of the winter due to snow drifts on the roads, but the most accessible problems are the stuff at The Dungeon and anything at The Nautilus. Also, Easy Street, and the problems at Hynds Lodge. Be easy on the roads, especially if they are wet or muddy (when it is best to avoid them altogether...), and have fun out there! :)

Another great nearby location is Horsetooth Reservoir. The south facing areas there tend to be warm and sunny when it is still quite cold in Laramie and Vedauwoo. One thing to note about Horsetooth is it is a total mud pit if the ground has not dried yet after a snow melt, so plan accordingly.

Arlo F Niederer · · Colorado Springs, CO · Joined Mar 2009 · Points: 515

I graduated from UW so I've climbed many years at Vedauwoo.

Your biggest problem with Beehive in the winter is getting there. The access road 705H can be bad in the summer and in a normal winter would be impossible - it's been a mild fall.

Also, in a normal winter the access road 700 to the main Vedawoo is often drifted and you can't even make it to 720 which goes into the main area. The "best" you can do is park on 700 as far in as you can and then climb on the south side of the Nautilus.

I've also climbed Edwards Crack and the climbs by Cold Fingers/Drop Zone/511 crack but needed snowshoes to get there.

You need to watch the weather and it can take a few days or more to melt enough snow off the south facing climbs.

Also, WYDOT has several webcams that show the main area of Vedauwoo and you can get a feel for how much snow there is.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Wyoming, Montana, Dakotas
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