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Sangre de Christo Conditons

Original Post
Nathanial · · Boulder, CO · Joined Sep 2011 · Points: 30

Hey
looking for beta on snow conditions in the S. Crestone region, particularly Little Bear, Blanca, Lindsay, and Culbera. Any info would be sweet, and if anyone's riding down there, I'm looking for partners... According to Snotel, S. Colony should be doing alright
Thanks so much!!!

James Hicks · · Fruita, CO · Joined May 2012 · Points: 131

Its probably a bit sketch up there. The winds have been horrible as of late. I was in Westcliffe last weekend and it was miserable. Things are pretty loaded in areas, with hard slabs on top of several feet of sugary snow according to folks that actually went up high.And they were in the Lindsey and Blanca area.

None of the areas you mentioned are accessible from South Colony though, and the conditions might be different there. But I wouldn't really expect too much difference. Humboldt is doable from that side, but I wouldn't go anywhere near Brokenhand Pass right now. Just my two cents.

Also, Culebra is private and you have to contact the ranch to hike it. You pretty much have zero chance of bagging it without talking to them first. FYI...They called off this upcoming weekends planned hike due to unsafe conditions.

john strand · · southern colo · Joined May 2008 · Points: 1,640

i live across the highway from blanca, still snow but not much..Culebras are filled..at crestone, quite a bit of snow still..don't know about the east side

Nathanial · · Boulder, CO · Joined Sep 2011 · Points: 30

Thanks so much you two...
James, how do you have info about what got called off on Culbera? friends or something?
and John, could I stay in touch with you about conditions and observations please?
really looking to try to spend some time snowboarding the higher peaks so any info would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks again

James Hicks · · Fruita, CO · Joined May 2012 · Points: 131
Nathanial wrote:Thanks so much you two... James, how do you have info about what got called off on Culbera? friends or something? and John, could I stay in touch with you about conditions and observations please? really looking to try to spend some time snowboarding the higher peaks so any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks again
There are other forums I follow and talk to people on where it was being discussed this morning. The ranch that owns culebra has the say so in who hikes the peak, and in the winter it will run ya $200 I believe. Keep in mind that you can't see the routes up ellingwood and Blanca from the valley really, so even though there may not be much snow on the south side of Blanca and Little Bear, that means zero in regards to the route. Experienced people who were up there days ago said it was unstable and sketchy at the moment. Check out 14ers.com for current updates. It will help you out more in this regard than MP will.
Dan Mottinger · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jan 2001 · Points: 1,785

I second the recommendation to look at 14ers.com for all of this info.
On the main page there are tabs for recent conditions, trailhead conditions, etc that are going to be the best online source of info. The Sangres aren't the most conducive peaks for ski/board descents without careful route and condition planning. The peaks you mention especially have limited conditions for worthwhile descents.

James Hicks · · Fruita, CO · Joined May 2012 · Points: 131
Dan Mottinger wrote:I second the recommendation to look at 14ers.com for all of this info. On the main page there are tabs for recent conditions, trailhead conditions, etc that are going to be the best online source of info. The Sangres aren't the most conducive peaks for ski/board descents without careful route and condition planning. The peaks you mention especially have limited conditions for worthwhile descents.
That was my other thought, those peaks aren't too fun or safe to ski/board unless things are just right. Although the approach to Lake Como might be much more bearable with some solid snow on it! I hate that road :(
Nathanial · · Boulder, CO · Joined Sep 2011 · Points: 30

Y'all are great thanks so much

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Colorado
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