Castle Peak Tahoe

Hey everyone! I'm planning on attempting to snowshoe Castle Peak in Truckee in a couple of weeks. Going to use MSR Lightening Ascents' which are pretty aggressive... My possibly stupid question is should I bring crampons and an axe or micro-spikes as well? I'm pretty new to snow travel (I live in the Bay Area) so just trying to figure it all out. I'm going on the 6th or 7th of Jan if anyone wants to tag along. If its still insanely windy I'll stick to the lower slopes. 

I have not been on castle peak but do a fair amount of backcountry travel in the basin. I would think that your snowshoes would work fine. What aspect is the route on?

It would be wise to brings some kind of poles.

Snowshoes should be fine for the ridge up. The top gets pretty hard packed and windblown, but you should be good with snowshoes and poles.

Snowshoes will be fine. 

It's getting a bit thin and raining at 6k right now.

Ken G wrote: I have not been on castle peak but do a fair amount of backcountry travel in the basin. I would think that your snowshoes would work fine. What aspect is the route on?

South, southwest is the most direct route.

Thanks for info guys. I appreciate it! 

Yeah snowshoes & poles are sufficient all winter for Castle Peak. Enjoy!

I hiked Castle with snowshoes/poles a few years ago. It’s pretty mellow for the most part, but the ridge does get rather hard packed. Don’t make the mistake I did: bring sunglasses...

Snowshoes are fine with poles of course. Are you familiar at all with avalanche safety? Also, don’t travel in the ski skin tracks, make your own.

Tapawingo Markey wrote: Snowshoes are fine with poles of course. Are you familiar at all with avalanche safety? Also, don’t travel in the ski skin tracks, make your own.

Don’t worry. I wouldn’t screw up the track. As far as avalanche safety... I don’t have any cert. but I’m learning. I always ready the SAC reports. 

I've been looking to head up there!  Are you still planning on going the 6th or 7th? 

No, I had to cancel. Weather looks crazy too... going to try to reschedule for maybe next month. 

Matthew Wells wrote: No, I had to cancel. Weather looks crazy too... going to try to reschedule for maybe next month. 

Would you potentially be open to having someone tag along? 

Tapawingo Markey wrote:  Also, don’t travel in the ski skin tracks, make your own.

QUOTE FOR TRUTH.

Skin tracks in the castle peak area are always garbage...from either people post holing in them or the dumby who thinks that all uphilling needs to be done in the highest lifters. 

Christian Nunnally wrote:

Would you potentially be open to having someone tag along? 

Totally. When I get a date settled I’ll post it up here. Where do you live?