The 2010 Colorado Ice Conditions Thread

Thanks, Mark!

Here are some Pics of Ames Ice Hose from 12 Dec 2010. My buddy Brent lead the first pitch on 2 x 13cms and 1 x 10cms. I doubt they would have held anything. He just planned on not falling.... 2nd pitch really fun and interesting climbing.

Hidden Falls, RMNP - in, solid, getting lots of traffic, heavily picked.

Left of Hidden Falls, WI2 - in, fat.
Dribble right of Hidden Falls - not much.
Trail in - maybe 3-4" of snow total. Very low. Best to take horse trail, ice over creek looks thin.
S. St. Vrain - minimal icicles.

saw this in the Tyndall today...doesn't come in this good very often!
Planning on getting the holiday snow and ice report published for RMNP in the next few days...lots of ice on south aspects and a 2m deep and mostly strong snowpack around Dream and Emerald Lakes- pretty sweet at the moment.

I was planning on spending 4 days at Ouray, starting the 28th, but saw that the Park is mostly closed. Does anyone know the conditions of areas nearby? Having a hard time finding info for the area..

Thanks,
james

Desert Climber wrote:I was planning on spending 4 days at Ouray, starting the 28th, but saw that the Park is mostly closed. Does anyone know the conditions of areas nearby? Having a hard time finding info for the area.. Thanks, james

Check out the Ouray Ice Park web site I believe that they are opening up selected areas again as of Dec 25th. Also looking to find climbing partners as I will be up there the 30,31,and 1 if you want to climb PM me.

Desert Climber wrote:I was planning on spending 4 days at Ouray, starting the 28th, but saw that the Park is mostly closed. Does anyone know the conditions of areas nearby? Having a hard time finding info for the area.. Thanks, james

Schoolroom and Kids Wall were reportedly open today. It's gotten much colder today and supposed to continue a cooling trend. Photos some friends took of the upper bridge area show huge cracks across the popular climbs (Pic o the Vic, Tangled up in Blue etc.). Website says they're going to knock these down and start over (don't know how true that is). Could be a while before the ice there is fat again if they start over. Many backcountry areas are under Considerable avy danger right now, but I'm guessing with the wet, heavy snow they got, it could settle down reasonably quickly (no guarantees). Skylight is reportedly in reasonable shape, but only has so many climbs and no where else to climb right now for regular folks or guides with clients.

If anyone heads into the Long's cirque, be extra wary of snow conditions. I read on the CAIC forecast page that Lamb's Slide avalanched to the firn (summer snow). Also, Battle Mountain in that area saw a slide as well. Seems like avy conditions are scary moderate right now, as in things seem safe until the entire snowpack slides, and the sh*t really hits the fan.

San Luis Valley update: Zapata Falls is in, flows along the Conejos River are in, Blue Plate Special and Diamond in the Rough are in.

Went skiing at Eldora today (12/26) and checked on the ice. BoCan Ice not happening...lots of water, de-lamination and sun baking. It's just been too warm during the days for it to form up properly.

Anybody know if Hidden Falls in Glenwood is in?

Clear Creek is not even close even though I saw some guys walking up to Coors Lite today.

Hiking up to West Gully yesterday (12/29) took this shot of AMU.

I doubt it with the rain and warm temps we have had

Tombo wrote:Anybody know if Hidden Falls in Glenwood is in?

Jaws Ice Fall - RMNP - 12/30/2010
looking a wee bit lean.

base of the route Skylight and it was 0ºF

Dear Jamie,
There is plenty of beta on th e-net that the ice park is crap right now. It doesnt take a genius that the ice is crap after a huge rain/warm spell. So check out weather forcast, San Juan Mtn. Guides have a good blog, Ouray Ice Climbing Park web site is a good bet, or you can get on MP and ask if any one has up to date beta. The Ice Park Crew works relly hard every year to produce a great product, dont trash talk them.

the only problem with the water system in the Ice Park is that it can't make ice unless it is below 30º, and if you do a historical weather search you will see that not only was it not below 30º's for the beginning of Dec. it was in the high 40º's and even hit 50º, not only that but it rained and if you lived here or were visiting you would have noticed that the Ice Park was looking rad just after T-giving and for the following couple of weeks you could go to the park and watch the ice deteriorate right in front of you eyes, you'd of wanted an umbrella to do this. If you're so bummed on the ice park not having ice and the crowds at Skylight, you should go to Vail and join the guides and (front) Rangers at the base of Spiral Staircase. Or, you could take a walk and climb the mega-classic Ames Ice Hose which is in great shape, or Cracked Canyon Ice Fall, or the two pillars just above Senator's Gulch (parking for Skylight) or the Talisman, or go for a snow grovel up Birdbrain, or The (Telluride) Fang, or Bridalveil, or the waterfalls just below the road on Red Mt. Pass about 1/2 mile south of the Engineer Pass turn, Silverpick, Bearcreek... I mean really, you've got all this sick gear, go use it. And if you still won't go for a walk there about 20 decent drytooling routes in the Skylight area.

Beagle wrote:I mean really, you've got all this sick gear, go use it. And if you still won't go for a walk there about 20 decent drytooling routes in the Skylight area.

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