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Valley conditions

Original Post
Stephen N · · San Rafael, CA · Joined Dec 2011 · Points: 15

Does anyone know of current climbing conditions in the valley? Planning on checking out some of the south facing spots (Reeds, Manure Pile, Church Bowl). Heading there this weekend. Thanks.

Bryan G · · June Lake, CA · Joined Nov 2007 · Points: 6,167

Those should all be good and dry by the weekend. It rained a decent bit today but the forecast looks clear. Temperature wise, it's been unseasonably warm.

Stephen N · · San Rafael, CA · Joined Dec 2011 · Points: 15

Great. Think it's safe to climb El Cap base routes? Any danger of falling ice?

vincent L. · · Redwood City · Joined Jan 2005 · Points: 560
Bryan G · · June Lake, CA · Joined Nov 2007 · Points: 6,167

I wouldn't worry about climbing at the base of el cap. There's not any snow at the top and the temps have been fairly warm. The popular base routes (Pine Line through Sacher Cracker) are usually protected by virtue of being at the base of a low angle slab. Any sheets of ice that come off the headwalls are probably going hit somewhere up near the Mammoth Terraces first and smash apart into small pieces.

vincent L. · · Redwood City · Joined Jan 2005 · Points: 560

I would be more aware of falling gear from climbers above me , or rock , than ice right now . I almost took a nut tool to the head walking around the base on the right side of El Cap , which is a lot steeper.

Stephen N · · San Rafael, CA · Joined Dec 2011 · Points: 15

Tell me about it...last time I was there, a party a few pitches up managed to drop an entire bag of food above us. Luckily the cans of chili landed up the hill.

SirTobyThe3rd M · · Salt Lake City · Joined Mar 2012 · Points: 2,100

Current conditions are great.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Northern California
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