Original Post

The Blueprint Part Dank · Joined Jun 2013 · Points: 460 May 21, 2014 · FEMA Region VIII Diamond



Howdy, as we approach alpine rock season up in RMNP (and, to be fair, a few other areas), I thought it would be helpful to have a conditions thread similar to the Ice/Snow climbing threads.



Use this thread to post up approach conditions, route conditions, and all the various other miscellaneous details (like, are the bivy caves still full of snow) that you've encountered up in the alpine.



RMNP Live Web Cams Howdy, as we approach alpine rock season up in RMNP (and, to be fair, a few other areas), I thought it would be helpful to have a conditions thread similar to the Ice/Snow climbing threads.Use this thread to post up approach conditions, route conditions, and all the various other miscellaneous details (like, are the bivy caves still full of snow) that you've encountered up in the alpine.

The Blueprint Part Dank · Joined Jun 2013 · Points: 460 May 21, 2014 · FEMA Region VIII George Bell wrote: It is cool that this thread was started by Peyton Manning!! My profile picture is less about Peyton Manning, than the more significant ideas of regret and frustration that his smirk therein signifies. My profile picture is less about Peyton Manning, than the more significant ideas of regret and frustration that his smirk therein signifies.

Chris Dickson · Joined May 2011 · Points: 425 Jun 21, 2014 · Telluride, CO Just climbed Le Petit yesterday. I think this has been said in the RMNP Conditions topic, but its pretty much dry all the way to the Loch. Then, you start to hit some snow. If you get after it early enough, it is usually pretty firm from the night before, however hiking out at the end of the of the day was silly sloppy postholing. There's a lot of snow from the Loch up to Sky Pond, but then it is clear from Sky Pond to the base of the Petit (with maybe a little bit of snow to get to the start of the South Face). We did the Southwest Corner and it was awesome! I'd say if you time it right and don't mind getting your feet a little wet, the alpine season in the Park is slowly starting!

The Blueprint Part Dank · Joined Jun 2013 · Points: 460 Jun 22, 2014 · FEMA Region VIII Eliot Augusto wrote: Anyone know how Spearhead looks about now? I was up there for the last two days.



Spearhead approach, 6/20/2014.



Here's the snowfield leading up to Syke's. it extended all the way down to the bivy caves. However the path leading up from the bivy area to the North ridge of Spearhead was more or less snow free.



But, most importantly....



Spearhead descent.



The descent was snow free!



Bring a trekking pole or an ultra light ice axe and you should be good to go for anything you want to do in the area. I was up there for the last two days.Here's the snowfield leading up to Syke's. it extended all the way down to the bivy caves. However the path leading up from the bivy area to the North ridge of Spearhead was more or less snow free.But, most importantly....The descent was snow free!Bring a trekking pole or an ultra light ice axe and you should be good to go for anything you want to do in the area.

Eliot Augusto · Joined Dec 2013 · Points: 60 Jun 22, 2014 · Colorado The Blueprint Part Dank wrote: Bring a trekking pole or an ultra light ice axe and you should be good to go for anything you want to do in the area. Thanks Peyton, that's some stellar news! Do you think a walking stick would suffice? Thanks Peyton, that's some stellar news! Do you think a walking stick would suffice?

The Blueprint Part Dank · Joined Jun 2013 · Points: 460 Jun 22, 2014 · FEMA Region VIII Eliot Augusto wrote: Thanks Peyton, that's some stellar news! Do you think a walking stick would suffice? Absolutely. Or Wes Welker, he's short enough to be used in place of an ice axe in most situations Absolutely. Or Wes Welker, he's short enough to be used in place of an ice axe in most situations

Matthew Ryan Jones · Joined Apr 2012 · Points: 35 Jun 25, 2014 · Minturn, CO Anybody have any info on the creston's? I was looking to get out there in about 3 weeks. Wondering if it's worth a trip yet, or if I should wait for a while longer?

Sagar Gondalia · Joined Jun 2006 · Points: 5 Jun 25, 2014 · Golden Flying Buttress on Meeker was bone dry on Saturday. Plunging steps on the descent up high still looked a little sketchy so we down-climbed next to the snow for most of the way and plunged the lower section where it was lower angle and the snow was softer.

Wally · Joined Apr 2006 · Points: 0 Jun 26, 2014 · Denver How about Halletts. How is the approach? Boots and an ice axe? Or just tennis shoes?



Thanks. Wally

Jonathan S · Joined Sep 2009 · Points: 106 Jun 30, 2014 · Golden, CO Climbed Hallett on Sunday. Just a bit of snow to cross. I could kick steps with high-top approach shoes and used poles for balance, but I wouldn't recommend low-top sneakers. Second Buttress was dry and great climbing.