Colorado Weather Discussion Thread

[I've seen black diamonds!]

Got pelted with graupel so big it hurt. Then I fled lightening. Some good turns on low angle graupel/corn though.

[The SnowShow]

Got pelted with graupel so big it hurt. Then I fled lightening. Some good turns on low angle graupel/corn though.

James Peak flats?

[I've seen black diamonds!]

Yeah. Turned around at about 12600' when the sky started booming.

[The SnowShow]

Yeah. Turned around at about 12600' when the sky started booming.

Crazy!

How's the glacier looking?

[I've seen black diamonds!]

Glacier is full of dirty snow. East basin of James looked flush. Will be back soon.

[stfu&gbtw]

Going to head up to AB tomorrow and have a look at SFB... Still looked pretty doable when I was up there Monday afternoon.. Probably won't have time to actually give 'er until Monday or Tuesday next week. Anyone skied it recently?

[Lindahl]

It isn't riddled with debris by now?

[stfu&gbtw]

It isn't riddled with debris by now?

It wasn't earlier in the week, but that shit could catch on in a second. I'll post a pic later.

[smitchell333]

Anyone get out today ?

Getting manky with above freezing night temps or still reasonably firm underneath?

[I've seen black diamonds!]

Yesterday was good above 11k. Manky at 10k.

[I've seen black diamonds!]

Skied this north facing line at right about 13,000' a bit before it likely became dangerous. Would have been better an hour earlier. East facing slopes were not safe- natural slides and rock fall. Only the top few inches of the snow had frozen the night before

auvgeek:


auvgeek again:

[auvgeek]

Thanks for the fun day out. Sorry I was feeling a little under the weather.

ISBD:

[galibier_numero_un]

Nice ... how are the Lodowns treating you in that mucky stuff?

... Thom

[auvgeek]

how are the Lodowns treating you in that mucky stuff?

They are a bit narrow in true mush—they feel really "locked in," but I think that's just how much skis 90 mm underfoot inevitably sink in. Based on how they skied the firmer snow off the summit, I think they will be pretty nice in corn or firmer conditions—though I certainly need more time on them in those conditions. Kind of wish I'd brought the 0G 108s today, but I struggled enough to keep up coming from sea level with no real acclimation and battling a cold. The more I ski warm mush here in CO, the more I want a wider, rockered ski with a very light binding. Like maybe an UL narrow Q with superlights. Prolly won't buy, but seems interesting/useful.

[galibier_numero_un]

I thought about that ... sea level to 13K. Doesn't matter how good shape you're in (even without a cold).

That makes sense about the Lodowns. Thanks for the update. I had similar reactions on my first day on the Nanuqs. It prompted me to move the mount back from on the line to -1.5. I can't wait to get out on them again.

What time of day did you guys start down? From the lighting, it looks as if it was late morning or perhaps slightly after noon?

,.. Thom

[auvgeek]

What time of day did you guys start down? From the lighting, it looks as if it was late morning or perhaps slightly after noon?

I think we started down shortly after 10 am from the summit. The E-facing lines off the summit looked super fun, but they were just too soft to even consider. FL rose to 16k in the afternoon, so it was a warm one. We left the parking lot around 7:30, and took a pretty leisurely pace with a few longer breaks for photos, to address blisters, etc. We had to portage in the flats, and we also scouted the climb back up from the basin. Same conditions, wx, etc, I'd want to meet in the parking lot at 5:45 and be moving by 6. Being able to skin the whole way, being acclimated, and colder temps would make leaving the parking lot around 7 more reasonable.

[I've seen black diamonds!]

Any front range folks want to get out Friday?

[Powsnorter1000]

I'm getting my new Hovercraft today, so I will be at A Basin Friday.

[I've seen black diamonds!]

Yeah, it will be wet. Thinking more about exercise and scenic summit than a great decent.

[doebedoe]

Yeah, it will be wet. Thinking more about exercise and scenic summit than a great decent.

Have anything in mind? Debating whether I want to work Friday. Given how hot it is going to be I'm having a hard time thinking of fun and safe lines.

[galibier_numero_un]

I think we started down shortly after 10 am from the summit. The E-facing lines off the summit looked super fun, but they were just too soft to even consider. FL rose to 16k in the afternoon, so it was a warm one. We left the parking lot around 7:30, and took a pretty leisurely pace with a few longer breaks for photos, to address blisters, etc. We had to portage in the flats, and we also scouted the climb back up from the basin. Same conditions, wx, etc, I'd want to meet in the parking lot at 5:45 and be moving by 6. Being able to skin the whole way, being acclimated, and colder temps would make leaving the parking lot around 7 more reasonable.

Thanks for the weather beta.

... Thom

[smitchell333]

I skied at Pikes Peak on Saturday. Was hoping to try the Y couloir but the road opening was delayed by 1 1/2 hour at the bottom and then a further 1/2 hr near the top and I had to be out of there before noon so so I hit the Devils Garden bowl for a few runs instead. The more northerly faces had a decent firm crust but more easterly like Little Italy had just a surface crust over a foot of glop. I would say it's worse now with a couple more nights of non solid freeze.

Anyone get to Evans over the weekend? Will there be good continuous Nface runs when they open to the top?

[doebedoe]

....
Anyone get to Evans over the weekend? Will there be good continuous Nface runs when they open to the top?

If the answer to this is yes, I propose a mag meetup w/ beers at Summit lake.

But...I'm nervous about the lack of a freeze all week making for less than fun conditions.

[Lindahl]

Considering Evans this weekend too

[I've seen black diamonds!]

Have anything in mind? Debating whether I want to work Friday. Given how hot it is going to be I'm having a hard time thinking of fun and safe lines.

Mount Bancroft? Don't know about fun, but it should be safe with a little common sense.