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RMNP conditions

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Joe Keyser · · Scottsdale, AZ · Joined Jan 2001 · Points: 1,047

Coming back home to CO for a few days. Heard it was a heavy snow year. Is it too early and wet for rock routes in the park/RMNP right now? Thx!

Andy Nelson · · Fort Collins, Colorado · Joined Feb 2013 · Points: 336

Lumpy is fine and things above treeline are probably not ideal but maybe climbable if you caught a good day? Might be some seepage on various faces and plenty of snow on the approach/descent.

Scott McMahon · · Boulder, CO · Joined Feb 2006 · Points: 1,425

The park is melting and wet. Lots of rockfall in the Hallet cirque area

Joe Keyser · · Scottsdale, AZ · Joined Jan 2001 · Points: 1,047

Thanks, that is what I was expecting to hear. Any good snow routes in good shape at the moment? Dream weaver, Alexander's?

Chris Hills · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Dec 2013 · Points: 0

Dreamweaver is in great shape!

Creed Archibald · · Salt Lake City, UT · Joined Apr 2012 · Points: 1,016

I'm headed to Estes on Monday. My partner and I don't want to deal with too much snow, so we're going to spend our week on Lumpy Ridge. We have another trip in July/August when we will go after some high peaks. This will be our warm up.

Is Lumpy pretty dry? Should we plan on muddy snowy approaches/descents?

Thanks.

Nodin deSaillan · · Boulder · Joined Mar 2013 · Points: 80

Chris, when were you on Dreamweaver? I was up there on Monday, and though there was ice forming on the steps, everything else was an absolute slog. Neve formation should not be too far off, but I wouldn't bother with it until then.

Scott McMahon · · Boulder, CO · Joined Feb 2006 · Points: 1,425
Nodin deSaillan wrote:Chris, when were you on Dreamweaver? I was up there on Monday, and though there was ice forming on the steps, everything else was an absolute slog. Neve formation should not be too far off, but I wouldn't bother with it until then.
Good to know!
Chris Hills · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Dec 2013 · Points: 0

I was up there the 25th I believe. Snow wasn't the best I'll admit. But the mixed steps where in fine form If I remember correctly.

Wally · · Denver · Joined Apr 2006 · Points: 0

Lumpy is dry - no snow or mud on the approaches.

Creed Archibald · · Salt Lake City, UT · Joined Apr 2012 · Points: 1,016

@wally - thanks

Kyle Judson · · Colorado · Joined Jun 2011 · Points: 15

Has anyone ventured out to Glacier Gorge yet? I'd like to jump on The Spearhead later this month but have some concern about the descent after the big winter we had. If anyone has some info I'd certainly appreciate it.

Steve Levin · · Boulder, CO · Joined Jan 2001 · Points: 952
Kyle Judson wrote:Has anyone ventured out to Glacier Gorge yet? I'd like to jump on The Spearhead later this month but have some concern about the descent after the big winter we had. If anyone has some info I'd certainly appreciate it.
Right now lots of snow on approach, avoid the blowdown area by staying in drainage and use snowshoes or skis. NE Ridge too wet and not in condition for rock climbing; main face still lots of snow melt. Waiting until end of month is a good idea. I wouldn't be overly concerned with the descent if you've managed to get in there.
Brad.mering · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Oct 2007 · Points: 30

I ran in to the drainage above black lake on Sunday to check the conditions on the spearhead. We encountered sustained deep soft snow from Mills lake to black lake, and more soft snow in the drainage. Lots of calf to knee deep postholeing, especially through the blowdown above Mills lake. I wanted to get up to the apron under the spearhead, but without flotation it was going to take a while to get up the drainage. It looks like once you get above the trees on that moraine, you'd be able to move a bit faster.

The NE ridge was holding some snow still where it meets the right edge of the barb flake. I wouldn't be surprised if there was still some snow on the first dihedral as well. Middle earth still has a substantial amount of snow, and, of course, the eye of Sauron is seeping like crazy. The descent looked like it was holding some snow, but like Steve said, if you made it that far, you'll probably be fine getting down. I'd be cautious on the decent because you'd probably be one of the first parties on that descent this season. It seems likely that there are some new bombs ready to come down.

Wally · · Denver · Joined Apr 2006 · Points: 0

How about the Petite Grepon. Anybody been on the Petite or up near the base of the Petite recently? Is the approach reasonable early morning without floatation?

Scott McMahon · · Boulder, CO · Joined Feb 2006 · Points: 1,425
Wally wrote:How about the Petite Grepon. Anybody been on the Petite or up near the base of the Petite recently? Is the approach reasonable early morning without floatation?
Can't speak specifically to that area but everything I've experienced and read on 14ers.com /FB page etc is wallow wallow wallow across the board. And that's even with early starts. Nighttime temps have been high lately.
Tim N · · Denver, CO · Joined Nov 2012 · Points: 71

Any insight on what Kieners would be like on Longs? Excessive postholing on the approach without flotation?Snow too slushy/deep/Avi prone on the couloirs even with an early start? Rock too wet? Thinking about doing it over the weekend. Any beta would be helpful. Thanks!

Scott McMahon · · Boulder, CO · Joined Feb 2006 · Points: 1,425
Nobleman wrote:Any insight on what Kieners would be like on Longs? Excessive postholing on the approach without flotation?Snow too slushy/deep/Avi prone on the couloirs even with an early start? Rock too wet? Thinking about doing it over the weekend. Any beta would be helpful. Thanks!
You might want to inquire here...

mountainproject.com/v/2014-…
Kyle Judson · · Colorado · Joined Jun 2011 · Points: 15
Brad.mering wrote:I ran in to the drainage above black lake on Sunday to check the conditions on the spearhead. We encountered sustained deep soft snow from Mills lake to black lake, and more soft snow in the drainage. Lots of calf to knee deep postholeing, especially through the blowdown above Mills lake. I wanted to get up to the apron under the spearhead, but without flotation it was going to take a while to get up the drainage. It looks like once you get above the trees on that moraine, you'd be able to move a bit faster. The NE ridge was holding some snow still where it meets the right edge of the barb flake. I wouldn't be surprised if there was still some snow on the first dihedral as well. Middle earth still has a substantial amount of snow, and, of course, the eye of Sauron is seeping like crazy. The descent looked like it was holding some snow, but like Steve said, if you made it that far, you'll probably be fine getting down. I'd be cautious on the decent because you'd probably be one of the first parties on that descent this season. It seems likely that there are some new bombs ready to come down.
Steve, Brad, thanks for the info. Maybe it'll shape up in a few weeks!
Wally · · Denver · Joined Apr 2006 · Points: 0

Thanks Scott!

Ryan Kempf · · Boulder, CO · Joined Jul 2011 · Points: 371

If anyone is headed up to Long's in the next few days a shot of Broadway would be much appreciated. I am curious as to how difficult it is to circumnavigate Chasm Lake and how much snow is on the N Chimney and or Crack of Delight.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Colorado
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