By Greg Corn
Nov 21, 2012
| Never been to Tahquitz, wondering what the guidebook of choice is, that has the best topos to understand.
Thanks. | 
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By Chris Owen
Administrator
From La Crescenta and Big Bear Lake
Nov 21, 2012
| This one makes a great read - no schematics though, you're gonna have to use route-finding skills...
May I add that this is an important read for those of us who are interested in the history of the sport.
Randy and Bob's book is a great and worthy descendant. |
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By Greg Corn
Nov 21, 2012
| Thanks guys.
Last question, is it climbable in early March usually? Does it get snowfall? |
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By JCM
From Golden, CO
Nov 21, 2012
| Greg Corn wrote: Thanks guys. Last question, is it climbable in early March usually? Does it get snowfall?
Very iffy, and it depends on the route.
The north and west facing routes are pretty much guarunteed to be snowy/icy/cold in early March. This includes much of Tahquitz, and some of Suicide
The South facing routes may be sunny and dry and warm, or they may be running with meltwater, or they may be plastered with snow. It can vary from winter to winter, and from week to week for that matter. If you get lucky and hit conditions right, wintertime in Idyllwild can offer perfect conditions in the sun. The first time I did Open Book (mega-classic 5.9), it was mid-January, and we climbed in T-shirts in the sun. It really all depends on how recently it has snowed, and how warm it is. If it hasn't snowed in 2 weeks, and it has been mostly above 50 during that time, you'd probably be good to go on the S-facing stuff (although snow on approach/descent are still possible).
So, climbing in March is sometimes good (on South facing routes only), and sometimes terrible. I'd say you have about a 50-50 shot of finding good conditions on the S Face of Tahquitz in a given week at that time of year. The good news is that J-Tree is less than 2 hours away, and is absolutely prime in early March. I would plan on going to J-Tree at that time of year (if SoCal is your destination), and call up Nomad Ventures (or post here) less than a week before your trip to see what condiitions are like in Idyllwild; you may get lucky and be able to sneak in some early-season climbing up there. |
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By Greg Corn
Nov 22, 2012
| Thanks very much everyone, think i will not bother with Tahquitz in early March and go to another one of the wonderful SoCal climbing areas. I see enough snow in Canada, dont need to see it in California! |
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By Chris Owen
Administrator
From La Crescenta and Big Bear Lake
Nov 25, 2012
| The harder thin face/slab routes at Suicide are usually (if dry) in better condition during the winter than the summer because the temps are low and rubber sticks better. |
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