Tahquitz - Weather/ Is the loose Block still on Fingertrip?

My partner and I are planning to get out to Tahquitz this weekend and climb Fingertrip 5.7. Two questions for anyone who may have been in the area lately

1. Does anyone have an update on conditions in Tahquitz? has anyone climbed there recently?

2. We saw the latest on MP about a loose block 11/25/17: "BEWARE OF A LOOSE BLOCK on the left side of the ledge at the top of pitch 1" anyone know if this is still there and it's status? 

https://www.mountainproject.com/route/105798877/fingertrip 

I was up there Saturday in the snow, not much came down, maybe an inch, any place that gets good sun will be void of snow but finger trip is pretty shady most of the day, you will be better off on Jensen's or ski track.

The blocks on the finger crack are easily avoided on finger trip, just stay in the corner straight up to the tree.

Thanks David and Tradiban! Appreciate the beta! 

I just ordered a new weather cam for climbidy.com but in general in Idy anything that gets sun most of the day will be climbable, but the S side of Tah might be hard but never impossible to get to because of snow build up on the trail. Lots of Suicide are pleasant all year long, especially sunshine face.

David - - I've had a few fun & pleasant trips to Tahquitz in both December and January the past few years. Dry trips, and ones where you needed pons/over the ankle boots due to snow, but the rock was dry.

Tradiban is right that Ski Track might make for a better experience, because you'll get sun. I remember climbing fingertrip once shoulder-season and the first pitch was dry, and the second-pitch, but we didn't realize the 3rd pitch undercling/cruxes were basically seeping a bit. It became a bit more heady and not that enjoyable. I've also been COLD on that route even in non-winter months. The wind curls around the rock there. It helps to rock a beanie under your helmet (if you wear one)

Suicide is also a good tip, its warmer and drier in the winter than Tahquitz rock itself, getting first-light sooner. I would just say bring warm layers if you go, and a bit of an apetite for adventure. 

Getting in on this thread. Has anyone been up recently? 

The weather forecast looks really good right now, just don't know what conditions are like on ground/rock. 

I have only led on white maiden and trough so I'm looking to get some more baby trad experience in on that side of the rock. 

Any intel or tips appreciated!

Unless you're heading left of White Maiden, the rock is completely dry except for a few ledges where there can be some minor runoff. As of 2/5/18 White Maiden, Angel's Fright, and the Trough are completely free of water and snow on route. There is a good pile of snow at the base of Dave's Deviation and Human Fright. There was some ice on the lowest part of Pine Tree Ledge where you come in from the second pitch of Jam Crack, you could probably get around it if needed. The main two levels of Pine Tree Ledge were dry. All of Lunch Ledge was dry.

I was comfortable in pants and a t-shirt this afternoon, but I was moving non-stop. I recommend you bring a light jacket. You won't see any sun on the Trough or Angel's Fright until right at sunset.

Get on it before the climate realizes it's supposed to be winter! 

wow, thats amazing, thanks so much Ryan!

how was friction descent? same as always or down climbing with ice tools and crampons   ?

Friction descent is dry throughout. Now you have no excuse, you've got to climb!

Snow at the base of Dave’s is no big deal, just chop steps with a rock like a man #localbetabraj

Ryan Strickland wrote:

Friction descent is dry throughout. Now you have no excuse, you've got to climb!

True! Although half my outdoor/climb buds can't lead belay, and the rest have work type conflicts this month. Looks like it may be time to start creeping through the partner forums!

anyone have more recent conditions available?

New weather cam on Suicide at climbidy.com

Can't put a cam on Tahquitz because the sun shines it out.

Suicide def all climbable and Tahquitz over to Trough, maybe not Angels fright. There will be some snow at the bases of climbs but almost always passable.

Tradiban wrote:

New weather cam on Suicide at climbidy.com

Can't put a cam on Tahquitz because the sun shines it out.

Suicide def all climbable and Tahquitz over to Trough, maybe not Angels fright. There will be some snow at the bases of climbs but almost always passable.

BOLTING SEASON IS HERE.       jk   jk    jk