Incredible hulk conditions

Anyone been back there lately? I'm heading there the next weekend (8-10) and was wondering if I needed snowshoes/skis/axe-crampon. Thanks for the help, if it's sloshed out anyone been back to temple crag yet?

Was on Temple on Friday (crossed the snowfield starting ~7:45 am). Snow conditions remain good other than the sloggy summit plateau snowfield, which is easily avoided. Not firm enough to require crampons and an ice axe is optional. The log river crossing just below Third Lake with the easy boulder move exit was crossable in the morning, but was submerged in the afternoon. There's a log jam just below the outlet of Third Lake you can use instead.

Will report back if I hear anything about the Hulk.

Bump for conditions on the Hulk

There is a bunch of snow but it's all doable. Hiking on steep snow is fine when it's soft (which it was this past weekend).

I would go for trekking poles over an Ice Axe. There are sections where you could fall/slide a good ways. If you have snow experience it's easy!

Expect to kick steps down the descent gully.

I posed more info/photos on SuperTopo .

- Luke

thanks, Luke!

We attempted to do Positive Vibes this morning, but my climbing partner sprained ankle his on the approach. At least I got some conditions photos and a training hike.

SUMMARY
Not a lot of snow left, but what remains was bullet hard in the morning. We didn't go up to the base plateau but the lower snowfields were all avoidable. The right-hand gully had a lot of snow bridges over the river, but the left-hand talus slope was clear.

Snow is melting fast! The small lake near the bivy area has formed which means the upper creek is running nicely!

Saw a marmot around camp this weekend. Make sure to hang your food.

Also one of the other parties had the leather eaten from the heels of his climbing shoes which he left out... Probably the marmot or one of the other critters running around.

Weather was warm and only slightly windy. A few parties on Friday & Saturday but Sunday had the most traffic.

Don't forget to get a permit! Bridgeport Ranger Station is open from 8am to 4:30 pm.

No fires are allowed in the Sawtooth range (which includes little slide canyon and the Hulk)!!

- Luke

My housemate went up there Sunday and said they needed crampons to approach Positive Vibrations.

While perhaps crampons might be FUN for going up the snow I would disagree that they are needed.

You can walk to the base of the hulk totally on talus/rock. You may have to traverse 50 feet on snow for PV but I don't know why that would require crampons.

I suppose it's about your comfort zone. I'm not a snow guy, don't really mountaineer and felt fine hiking up the snow.

I do admit that I use trekking poles whenever I'm on snow. Including hiking up to the Hulk this past weekend (including Sunday). I do agree you could slip and go for a big ride....

- Luke

PS I'm not trying to be a jerk, I'm just a touch confused and trying to keep it simple.

Agreed that using crampons is dependent on level of comfort, but based on the early morning snow conditions I encountered last week and what my friends (both experienced alpine climbers) reported my statement is neither incorrect nor unreasonable to the average person. You yourself used traction devices on approach.

nice

We just got back today from a 4 day trip up there. Leave the ski poles and crampons at home and bring the DEET and skeeter nets instead. Everything on the Hulk can be approached in tennis shoes. We also had afternoon thunderstorms almost every day, but the forecast is looking better now.