Pyramid Peak Conditions?

Colorado peak questions, condition requests and other info.
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DanielL
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Pyramid Peak Conditions?

Post by DanielL »

I'm planning on climbing Pyramid via the standard route this Saturday, and was wondering if anyone has been up there or in the area the last few days. For anyone that has climbed it with some snow, how much harder does it make this route?
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TravelingMatt
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Re: Pyramid Peak Conditions?

Post by TravelingMatt »

Can't answer your question directly, but I have been in the area the past couple of days preparing for Pyramid. I am in Carbondale and the sun has just come out and the sky is clearing. Can't see the high Elks from here, but there is no snow on Sopris. I think the Elks has been spared the brunt of the latest system.
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Re: Pyramid Peak Conditions?

Post by Yog »

I'm also interested in snow conditions in this area. I saw one picture of the Bells with some light snow. Forecast for Aspen Fri & Saturday in the 70's (weather underground), so perhaps what is there will melt off Saturday?
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weh
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Re: Pyramid Peak Conditions?

Post by weh »

I posted a similar question regarding Pyramid and the Elks with out seeing this post. Hope between our posts we get some good feedback for the weekend.
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Re: Pyramid Peak Conditions?

Post by FluffyBunny »

I'm hoping to climb South Maroon on Saturday and would like to know the snow conditions.
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Neil
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Re: Pyramid Peak Conditions?

Post by Neil »

Bump. If anyone who lives in the Roaring Fork Valley area has any first-hand information or pictures concerning the snowline and/or the amount of snow in the Elks, I (along with some other folks) would greatly appreciate it. I am looking at Capitol on Sunday, but don't have the skills or desire to climb it with snow on the route. Thanks!
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mtree
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Re: Pyramid Peak Conditions?

Post by mtree »

I got word from an Aspen resident. There is snow on the peaks (Maroon Bells/Pyramid). He's not sure how much they got, but thinks not more than a few inches. It was plainly visible from about 12,000ft on up.

That said, hard to figure on conditions by Saturday morning.
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Re: Pyramid Peak Conditions?

Post by myfeetrock »

I work up at Glenwood Caverns and didn't see any snow on Capitol yesterday. Today it's very hazy and I can barely see Sopris from here.
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Re: Pyramid Peak Conditions?

Post by Neil »

Thank you both...that is very informative! If anyone else wants to jump in, I would appreciate it. The more info, the better.
"On the edge of the porch in the warm evening night
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Is there someone, somewhere, someway out there that I've not found"
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Re: Pyramid Peak Conditions?

Post by myfeetrock »

I'll see if I can get you a close up shot of capitol today and post it.
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Neil
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Re: Pyramid Peak Conditions?

Post by Neil »

myfeetrock wrote:I'll see if I can get you a close up shot of capitol today and post it.
Cool...thanks!
"On the edge of the porch in the warm evening night
Throwing the bone for the dog I see two passing lights
Well, I wonder where that driver's bound
Is there someone, somewhere, someway out there that I've not found"
-Driving Song
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Re: Pyramid Peak Conditions?

Post by TravelingMatt »

mtree wrote:I got word from an Aspen resident. There is snow on the peaks (Maroon Bells/Pyramid). He's not sure how much they got, but thinks not more than a few inches. It was plainly visible from about 12,000ft on up.
WRONG!

I did Pyramid today. There was NO snow anywhere on the route. I saw a couple patches far off the route, and that's all they were, patches.

A few of the high cliff bands on the Bells had a dusting of snow. This will likely melt off quickly, maybe they're gone already. Of course I could only see the northern and eastern aspects. Today was a bluebird day in the Elks.

Capitol and Snowmass were bare. Castle, of which I could only see the western aspect, had some snow on top. So did the Sawatch peaks I just got done driving by (La Plata, Massive, Elbert), above say 13,700 feet. Generally most of the snow fell further east than the Elks.
You never know what is enough until you know what is more than enough. -- William Blake
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