Dallas Peak and/or Vestal basin conditions

[Stone_man]

Anybody made recent attempts on these peaks, or have any recent pics/updates about the areas? Am mainly wondering about snow coverage, i.e. how much and on what aspects. Any info. would be appreciated!

[doggler]

I have heard that the A-V-W-T-E loop was run a little over a week ago. I would assume that if someone in trail runners could complete it then, it's good to go for hikers now.

[Brian C]

Joe! Want a partner?

[geojed]

I'm climbing Dallas on 7/5. But that may be too late if you're planning on doing it sooner.

[JosephG]

I've got a distant picture of Vestal and the Trinities from the east from a week ago. Looked pretty dry up high.
I'll look for the pic tonight, but, again, it's from a distance.

Edit: Not the best of images.

Distant Vestal et al..jpg (197.04 KiB) Viewed 601 times

[Stone_man]

Thanks Doggler--that's helpful info for the Vestal basin peaks. I imagine your assessment would be a good bet....

Brian -- PM sent.

Jed -- If we gave Dallas a go, it would likely be on the 3rd or 4th. Would be nice if someone did it this weekend, huh! Seems like a good probability of people doing Sneffels this weekend, so a pic from the top of there would be fantastic (saw the other post about that).

JosephG--Thanks for the info, that's good to know. A pic is always nice!

[letsgocu]

My plan is todo Dallas with these guys Early in the long weekend, then head to the Vestal group after that. My plan is to solo the Vestal group as of now unless others are planning on giving it a go in that timeframe, let me know...

Thanks Stone_man for getting this started by the way...

[geojed]

I'll be doing Teakettle 7/4 and then Dallas 7/5.

[geojed]

Found a pic taken yesterday (6/28) of Dallas from Sneffels from a Blog Post/Photo TR shared on FB.

Blog Post: http://donutsdoo.wordpress.com/2014/06/ ... fun-run-2/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Here's a link directly to the pic. (it is very Hi-Res @ 4320x3240px) http://donutsdoo.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/045.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Tim Edinger]

We tagged Vestal Peak via Wham Ridge on 6/14/2014. Started at Molas Pass. No snow in Vestal Basin. A few snow fields at the headwall to vestal, but they could have been avoided. We glissaded down the Dues Collector coulior and the small snowfields back to the basin at the end of the descent. Elk Creek was raging. there was considerable snow on the ascent/descent ramp on Arrow peak, but we did not do arrow, so I cannot say whether it was "in" or not. No need for snowshoes, crampons, r an ice axe I do not think at this stage. I used my ice axe for glissading, but my two other partners did not have theirs and had no problems. Good luck - great place!

[Stone_man]

Jed--that's a fantastic beta shot, thanks for posting! You still giving it a go on the 5th?

Tim--thanks for the detailed beta, that's exactly what I wanted to know. I've been to Vestal Basin once and got denied Wham Ridge...needless to say I've been burning to get back ever since!

[geojed]

Jed--that's a fantastic beta shot, thanks for posting! You still giving it a go on the 5th?

Tim--thanks for the detailed beta, that's exactly what I wanted to know. I've been to Vestal Basin once and got denied Wham Ridge...needless to say I've been burning to get back ever since!

Yep, plan is still for Teakettle on the 4th and Dallas on the 5th. With that much snow still on the N face of Dallas' summit block I'll be bringing the crampons just for that section. I'm guessing all the S and E facing stuff will be pretty melted out.

Stone_Man: If you could, post a quick conditions report here after you climb on the 3rd or 4th. Any pics or beta would be very helpful.

Anyone else interested in Teakettle on Fri the 4th?