I'm planning on climbing the Grand with a buddy of mine in early July (lower and upper exum ideally), but having never been out there, was wondering what conditions (specifically snow conditions) to expect that time of year. If anyone has input, please share. Thanks!
There can still be snow on the ground in the higher elevation till the end of July. It should not pose a problem though. The more important thing to be aware of is pop up thunderstrom in the mid afternoon. Here is a link to weather averages. nationalparktravel.com/gran…
jaredj
·
May 9, 2014
·
Unknown Hometown
· Joined Jan 2013
· Points: 165
Warm spells could melt it faster than is typical, but a safe bet this year might be to look at prior season trip reports biased a few weeks earlier than your expected date.
My bet, is with a fairly decent snow year this season, and, continued wet weather and snow recently, early July will have plenty of snow for you.
I think you could expect it above the caves somewhere in the moraine and to the lower saddle.
Also, getting to the start of the lower exum, you'll most certainly cross snow. I'd probably consider an ice axe in the least and maybe boots/crampons depending on how slick/icey/snowy things are by then.
The park will start updating current condtions on their website soon. I'd start tracking that.
EricF
·
May 9, 2014
·
San Francisco
· Joined May 2012
· Points: 120
You are definitely going to want at least a pair of step in crampons and an ice axe, almost 100% you will have to cross some snow coming down from the upper saddle to lower saddle, nothing to serious but not a great place to slip either. More people are injured every year in the park slipping on snow than anything else. Following the rangers postings this summer and they will let you know what the approach to the lower saddle is like. Shouldn't need full on mountain boots.
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