Wind river range conditions?

DavisMeschke Guillotine wrote:

Don't carry extra gear to protect a 10 ft section of snow. On a year like this, the snow bridge will be in well into August. If you really feel the need to, a single picket will do fine. But then you're hauling a section of rope, a harness, a belay device, etc... 

Thanks! It's hard to get answers on newbie questions like this. I guess a single picket and a glacier rope using a bowline on a coil instead of a harness would be the minimum amount of gear then. I'm more inclined to take your advice and to forgo the summit if the bridge seems sketchy to us. 

Boris Yaworsky wrote:

When were these taken??

Andy W wrote:

When were these taken??

Also very curious to know!  Was headed to the Cirque this weekend, but was dissuaded by local beta.  Wouldn't be surprised if these were taken in the last few days. 

Those photos were taken on Friday the 28th. Still plenty of snow as you can see, but melting fast. 

Boris Yaworsky wrote: Those photos were taken on Friday the 28th. Still plenty of snow as you can see, but melting fast. 

Thank you for sharing!

How were the mosquitos? Not too bad because of the snow cover or already bad? Is the second half of August a better time to head there to avoid the worst of the mosquitos? Thanks for the pics!

Boris Yaworsky wrote: Those photos were taken on Friday the 28th. Still plenty of snow as you can see, but melting fast. 

How were climbing conditions? 

Did you need crampons/axe? 
Supposed to head in 7/5-13...

Bugs were there but not too terrible with bug spray and a super smokey fire. Crampons/axes not necessary. Pretty much hard pack the whole way from Jackass Pass aside from a few places in the basin below pingora and wolf's head. Snow on the trail from Big Sandy lake leading up to North Lake can be skirted by taking the huge boulder field to the left of North Lake. Definitely bring extra pairs of socks.The snow in the photos above are pretty accurate as of yesterday 6/30.

Photos taken on 6/29 and 6/30

Thanks a bunch for sharing Mulch!

Which routes did you climb?? It looks like the NE Face of Pingora would almost definitely be wet. That was our major objective. Thoughts??

Thanks Mulch! 

I am in Wind River right now. I spoke to several backpackers who could not get past upper Seneca on way to Titcomb. People are getting into the cirque just fine and Jack Ass pass is clear of snow. 

Titcomb basin from a flight to Denver July 3rd. 

Snow is melting quickly. This photo was taken on July 5th.

Lots of mosquitoes at the start, but few past Big Sandy Lake. That will change soon if it hasn't already. We were happy to have ice axe and crampons for the descent from East Ridge of Wolf's Head...helpful to get past a few patches of 35-40 deg snow. Approach on the ledges was quite wet and there is a snow field to cross before cresting the ridge, but the climb itself was mostly dry.

Just got back from a successful climb of Gannett Peak on 7/6.  We approached from the East side via the Glacier Trail since the Titcomb basin side is still buried in snow.  The Glacier Trail approach is snow free all the way into the Dinwoody glacier.  The streams/ rivers are all quite high, but we managed to cross all of them.  A large portion of the trail is wet or muddy.  Good luck to anyone getting out there.  Bring bug spray and a head net as well.  

Titcomb Basin this morning, went in for a quick overnight trip with the pup, no climbing, wet, sloppy and snowy, but can get in. Started at Pole Creek. Not too many tracks past Island Lake.

Following up on this thread, in the final stages of planning a high route traverse from Green River Lakes to Big Sandy.  Similar traverse to Adventure Alan.  Any thoughts on if this is predicted to be traversable around the Aug. 4th- Aug 12th time frame?  If so, recommendations on safety gear needed?  Proficient orienteering skills among backpackers, 2 satellite communicators (one with InReach capabilities), programmed way points, and map/compass sets will be on the trip too

Austin Ethridge wrote: Following up on this thread, in the final stages of planning a high route traverse from Green River Lakes to Big Sandy.  Similar traverse to Adventure Alan.  Any thoughts on if this is predicted to be traversable around the Aug. 4th- Aug 12th time frame?  If so, recommendations on safety gear needed?  Proficient orienteering skills among backpackers, 2 satellite communicators (one with InReach capabilities), programmed way points, and map/compass sets will be on the trip too

Leave one messenger (keep in Reach) and forget the compass (if you need it you will be in the clouds which is one place you DON'T want to be in summer).  Maps are somewhat useful but you are better off actually looking at the country and figuring out where to go as it can be so rough.  Don't forget skeeter repellant!

any updates on conditions?