snow up high on Sunday. As much as 20 cm of recent snow has been reported
above 2800m. Throughout the week the weather has been more like fall again
with cold nights and cool moody days.
Dribbles of water ice are beginning to form, but as usual at this time of
year I'm not getting my hopes up for ice climbing, except in the high
alpine, for at least another few weeks.
The main hazard of concern right now is the potential for rockfall,
especially in the 2500-3000m range. This is in the lower reaches of where
we've been getting solid overnight freezes and snowfall accumulations, but
also where it will heat up quickest if we get a shot of warm and/or sunny
weather.
The travel on glaciers has been good but still a little sporty with thinly
covered crevasses that will be hard to see with the recent snow and wind.
I would say this is the next most significant hazard at the moment, so be
extra cautious with the glacier travel and consider bringing along a
short, lightweight probe that will do a better job than a ski pole of
finding crevasses in problem areas.
Front range rock climbs are still good to go as are lower elevation rock
climbs such as Grassi Ridge, etc. (see last week's report). Yesterday
afternoon Kid Goat was in pretty good shape but a little moist and seepy
in places.
Regards,
Tom Wolfe
ACMG AAG/ASG
_______________________________________________
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