Long's Peak Cables Route Conditions?

We are headed up to Long's on Monday to climb the Cables route on the North Face.

Anyone have any idea what conditions are like?

I spoke with a buddy yesterday who spends a lot of time on Longs. He climbed it a couple days ago with a RMNP guidebook author (not sure which route, but most likely the north face or keyhole ridge). His comment on the snow was that spring snow conditions weren't here yet -- in his opinion it wasn't ready to be skied yet. So, it sounded not-so-good for avy potential.

Hey:

Next time someone goes up, let me know. I would not mind looking at it to ski something (maybe the last 10 feet of Lamb's slide) ....

I am a sucky skier so it might be the funniest thing in the world to watch also.

Kevin

Up in the high peaks today there is over a foot of new snow and it is still coming down and forecast for more on Monday. Considerable to High avi danger is the current rating on most aspects above treeline in RMNP as of Sunday night. Potential hurricane winds could lower the danger if most of the snow is removed again which has been the state of the NF for most of this winter, but in the spring, the avi danger can be higher than winter with more deep, dense snow arriving daily?
The skiing is the best of the year right now in RMNP and the North Face of Longs could come in skiing condition but this new foot will be the base layer in most spots (sitting on granite slabs and talus)for whatever falls next- so probably a while before close to skiable and not too sketchy...
The Diamond is a terrain trap for the NF as a small slide could take you over the edge (pack a parachute) so more solid conditions are recommended before venturing onto these specific slopes.

We went up today, heading towards Martha on mount lady washington. The intitial part of the trail had 2 - 3 inches of snow. Up in the boulder field we we were breaking trail in about 6 inches of new powder. No avalanches, woomphing, or fractures were noticed today. However, we did turn around at the cirque just below the ranger cabin. The snow in the cirque was knee deep and seemed to be enough snow (danger zone for today was 6-12 inches of new snow) to possibly slide. The most difficult part of the hike was snowshoeing the deep snow in boulder field. Down in Boulder and other front range towns snow accumulimation was nil, but above the boulder field it was considerable. Current avalanche conditions have increased from moderate to considerable.

Most likely I will check out the North Face and Lamb's next weekend (if I am in town). If anyone wants to come up with me (I might bring my son Leif) let me know.

Also, can anyone tell me if the North Face or Lambs ever slide? How often, once a year, once in 5 years ..... Has anyone seen this happen?

Kevin

They will both slide and depending on conditions and the year will determine frequency. I would think Lamb's is more prone and slides more frequently but both will slide. If the north face slides it could very well take you over the side of the diamond. Dig pits and test stability.

Here is the best report I know of that contains pertinent information...

climbinglife.com/current-rm…

[DAMAGED IN DATABASE CRASH - Sorry]
-Admins

http://www.mountainproject.com/v/colorado/co_ice__mixed/rmnp__mixedice/106129599

Shane,

Photo rules.

Kevin