Flat Irons

How close are the fires to the Flat Irons?  Any chance of climbing them later this week?

I hope y'all are all safe and not impacted by these terrible fires.

Flatirons are very far away, nothing in OSMP near between Chautauqua and Eldo is closed. I'd check on air quality before you head out before you make a decision to climb. It's been bad b/c of the Cameron fire, and these other fires aren't going to really help matters. 

Per, 

https://bouldercolorado.gov/osmp/temporary-closures

S. Mesa Trailhead will be closed on the 21st, there's work on the Royal Arch Trail, and 1st/2nd Flatiron Trail is closed 8 am to 4:30 pm every Monday through Thursday (you'll use this after climbing the First or the Second)

Thanks man.

There's nothing to say that there won't be a fire in that area any given day. They are erupting all over the place.

Long Rangerwrote:

Flatirons are very far away, 

By "very far away" you mean single-digit miles?

I guess it depends on your risk tolerance. We've had two unrelated, uncontained fires pop up in the last two days. I'm not going to speculate on the causes or the likelihood of more cropping up, but up on a Flatiron is not where I'd want to be this week. If you (OP) do choose to come to Boulder, in addition to watching air quality I'd keep an eye on wind speed and direction.

Thanks, guys and this is more of a family visit but I told them last year I would haul em up a Flat Iron summer of 2020.  This year just continues to suck.

So this is not a partner finder? There is a forum for general questions 

Who here reading this wants to go climb today?

I don't see why you couldn't climb a Flatiron later in the week. The new fires are well north of the Flatirons and not immediately threatening the Boulder area. This could change of course. Just keep your eye on what's happening. The air has been bad but changes rapidly and if (perish the thought) a new fire breaks out near the Flatirons you obv might want to reconsider. There is trail work but you can still climb the 1st and 2nd. The fine print on the sign says its still ok to climb. Also, I can't find any info that says Eldo is closed. 

This is a hybrid message. Both pertains to the fires and partner finder. Can fit in either category, so who cares?

Not looking for a partner, just wanting real-time data on climbing conditions.

As of now it’s fine. 

Have fun. 

Supposed to be cold later in the week 

I absolutely think that it's totally realistic to check on conditions of the area, especially with all the fires going on. I'll of course honor any closures in the OSMP.

Latest satellite images are looking good, 

Something absolutely no one talks about is that every fire starting up right now is human caused. 

Be it downed powerlines, a illegal campfire or even something nefarious. So a fire can start up right adjacent to you at any time.

Claudine Longetwrote:

Something absolutely no one talks about is that every fire starting up right now is human caused. 

I think everyone near the fire has been talking about this. I've been talking about this. 

Be it downed powerlines, a illegal campfire or even something nefarious. 

Like complete denial of human-caused climate change? 

So a fire can start up right adjacent to you at any time.

So that's not not a thing, but it's also just not that dry in that flatirons right now. Yesterday, the ground was wet, springs were flowing, creeks had water in them. It rained on Saturday, and it's been a foggy/misty in the mornings afterwards. Temps are cool.

Stop spreading FUD, Zippy.

The smoke locally is pretty bad. Since all the NFS land is closed immediately west of the OSMP, I think it'd be a pretty sane idea to close the OSMP, too. 

Also never have I wanted LASIK surgery more so that I never have to wear contacts again.

Long Rangerwrote:

Also never have I wanted LASIK surgery more so that I never have to wear contacts again.

Do it. I got Lasik about 10 years ago so that I'd never have to worry about having to do a walk-off blind. One of the best decisions I ever made. 

Long Rangerwrote:

The smoke locally is pretty bad. Since all the NFS land is closed immediately west of the OSMP, I think it'd be a pretty sane idea to close the OSMP, too. 

Also never have I wanted LASIK surgery more so that I never have to wear contacts again.

Very sane indeed. I am really surprised they haven't. South Boulder Peak is nowhere close to recovering from the last round of fires

We bailed due to air quality so 2020 continues to deliver poo sandwiches without bread. 

Long Rangerwrote:

The smoke locally is pretty bad. Since all the NFS land is closed immediately west of the OSMP, I think it'd be a pretty sane idea to close the OSMP, too. 

Sounds illogical but something Boulder would do. OSMP doesn't have near the multi-use strains NFS has, including rampant camping and OHV travel.

Illogical or not, some city/county properties are closed. You've never happened upon a perma-camp up in the OSMP? Or passed someone with a coleman stove? Or heard of a fire started on Flagstaff road from a car? Shenanigans happen all the time in those hills, and I'm not talking about the Permadraw Wars. I don't know if I see the trails outside Chat. closing, but I wouldn't oppose it. Hopefully snow falls this weekend.