The 2014-2015 Colorado Ice Conditions Thread

Michael Schneiter wrote: I heard from a friend, who also shared a picture, who hiked to it on Sunday. It was there (in?) but super soft. Looked like it had been climbed but not recently. It was really warm and the trail in was completely clear of the snow until the very end.

Thanks!

Help, please! I've never been to the Ouray Ice Park. Sorry if this is a stupid question...
I was thinking of driving from Salt Lake to Ouray today for ice climbing, but daytime temps are reported as 52 degrees f. Is the gorge likely to be colder?
Is there any ice climbing right now? Ordinarily that would be way too warm for me to consider ice climbing in the Wasatch.
Pete

PeterSLenz wrote:Help, please! I've never been to the Ouray Ice Park. Sorry if this is a stupid question... I was thinking of driving from Salt Lake to Ouray today for ice climbing, but daytime temps are reported as 52 degrees f. Is the gorge likely to be colder? Is there any ice climbing right now? Ordinarily that would be way too warm for me to consider ice climbing in the Wasatch. Pete

The ice park is mostly shady, people are climbing down there right now.

I was in the ice park all last week and it was great, plenty of ice well worth the trip!

Anyone know about the ice conditions in Clear Creek Canyon? If it sucks there, where is a reasonable alternative close to Denver?

Kendrick Dane wrote:Anyone know about the ice conditions in Clear Creek Canyon? If it sucks there, where is a reasonable alternative close to Denver?

Not sure, but after 2 days of highs in the 70s, I wouldn't be very optimistic. As far as alternatives, driving by Silver Plume on I-70 on Sunday, pretty good flows were visible off the highway, so maybe something survived up there?

Alexey Dynkin wrote: Not sure, but after 2 days of highs in the 70s, I wouldn't be very optimistic. As far as alternatives, driving by Silver Plume on I-70 on Sunday, pretty good flows were visible off the highway, so maybe something survived up there?

Thank you, Alexey!

Alexey Dynkin wrote: Not sure, but after 2 days of highs in the 70s, I wouldn't be very optimistic. As far as alternatives, driving by Silver Plume on I-70 on Sunday, pretty good flows were visible off the highway, so maybe something survived up there?

On January 12th I posted silverplume looked thin, sun baked at rotted. Of course that was 2 weeks ago and it ice, but with the aspect and minimal snow I'm not sure how much better it got.

But maybe last Wednesday's storm help feed it. don't want to discourage anyone from looking. There is technically still ice there. :o)

It's 53 in Silver Plume right now, the route faces south, I wouldn't touch it with a 10' stick clip right now. It looked anemic passing by on Sunday, I'm sure two spring days didn't help.

In Ouray this weekend and climbed Skylight and Whorehouse Hoses Sunday and Monday. Skylight was in good shape and not wet. Whorehouse was thin in spots but overall a nice climb, especially considering the warm weather.

Unrelated, but saw a remote control copter in the ice park when I was in Scottish Gullies on Sunday. It was hovering over the area where I was climbing, just at the top of the canyon. I don't know if it was filming or something like that, but it was really noisy and distracting. I hope that's not a common thing for the ice park now.

How did the Stairway look?
Thanks

It was too far away for us to tell. Forecast said it would get up to the 40s so we went elsewhere. A couple of guys at the trail head were intending to climb it, though.

Is it safe to assume that CCC has died?

CCC looked decent last thursday. I drove by and coors lite was okay but the ice next to little eiger (at the bottom) was decent. But it has been warm.

Any ideas on how Jaws in RMNP would be this weekend. I know it has been very warm out in Loveland.

Jaws is a South facing, zero degree day kind of flow. If it is there it is sunbaked and rotten.

Anyone been around Longs' north face? Thinking about giving Zumie's Chimney a go or the Cables route if the former is no longer "in".

Sung wrote:CCC looked decent last thursday. I drove by and coors lite was okay but the ice next to little eiger (at the bottom) was decent. But it has been warm.

Yeah I'm thinking this week hurt it...bad. Hopefully there is still enough to keep it going.

Scott McMahon wrote:Is it safe to assume that CCC has died?

Looked pretty rough at 6AM Monday morning when I drove through...I think after the heat wave, it's safe to assume dead.

Damn. Is there anything left on the Front Range at all?