Conditions on Sneffels
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- jjarrard913
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Conditions on Sneffels
Anyone been up Sneffels lately? We're interested in heading down there, but weren't sure if they had any snow. Ideally, we would like to head up the blue lakes side. The most recent trip reports were from Labor Day and the conditions report is from July. Thanks!
- jchapell
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Re: Conditions on Sneffels
We are hoping to go up Monday, weather permitting...
- halfdomer
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Re: Conditions on Sneffels
Like mentioned about being weather permitting, it should be noted there is a storm coming Sunday 9/22 that will likely put snow on many of the peaks tomorrow.
- mountain_man
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Re: Conditions on Sneffels
Snow was on it this past weekend, but probably melted off it this week. A report I heard said the ground was rock-hard and difficult to traverse.
"To live and not to breathe is to die in tragedy." - Billie Joe Armstrong
"What I know I could put into a pack as if it were bread and cheese, and carry it on one shoulder, important and honorable, but so small! While everything else continues, unexplained, and unexplainable." - Mary Oliver
"What I know I could put into a pack as if it were bread and cheese, and carry it on one shoulder, important and honorable, but so small! While everything else continues, unexplained, and unexplainable." - Mary Oliver
- jchapell
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Re: Conditions on Sneffels
How does 4-8 inches of snow change the Sneffels standard route difficulty? We are still hoping to climb it Monday...the weather looks clear, but there will certainly be new snow. We have microspikes, gaiters, and winter gear, but didn't bring ice axes.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Re: Conditions on Sneffels
I climbed it in snow and its not too bad. The first gully is really loose anyway. The only issue I think is getting through the notch if its icy, but again doable. You will just need to turn up the attention a bit. There are some TR's out there talking about the avoiding the notch with some climbing, but my bet is you won't need to worry about it.jchapell wrote:How does 4-8 inches of snow change the Sneffels standard route difficulty? We are still hoping to climb it Monday...the weather looks clear, but there will certainly be new snow. We have microspikes, gaiters, and winter gear, but didn't bring ice axes.
Thanks!
Last edited by desertdog on Sun Sep 22, 2013 5:20 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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- jchapell
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Re: Conditions on Sneffels
Thanks for the quick response! I'm not sure there would be a bough snow for an axe to purchase anyways, but my read is that it's got some sleep slopes.
If anyone else is eyeing an attempt tomorrow (Monday) morning, let me know.
If anyone else is eyeing an attempt tomorrow (Monday) morning, let me know.
- DurangoJenn
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Re: Conditions on Sneffels
Here's how Sneffels looked at about 11:30 a.m. this morning before the latest storm came through the area, a couple of quick roadside shots I took on my way back to Durango.
- Shawnee Bob
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Re: Conditions on Sneffels
Better safe than sorry. You might be right about snow depth, but having an axe strapped to your pack would be a minor inconvenience compared to needing it and not having it.
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- jjarrard913
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Re: Conditions on Sneffels
Thank you for the photos, DurangoJenn.
JChapell, be safe out there! Hope you are having an awesome climbing day. We were hoping to head out Wednesday and climb the blue lakes side on Thursday. Any information regarding snow conditions after yesterday's storm are much appreciated! Thanks!
JChapell, be safe out there! Hope you are having an awesome climbing day. We were hoping to head out Wednesday and climb the blue lakes side on Thursday. Any information regarding snow conditions after yesterday's storm are much appreciated! Thanks!
- bbutzin
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Re: Conditions on Sneffels
Anybody go up Sneffles this past weekend?
- dnye
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Re: Conditions on Sneffels
Hopefully someone can update you, I remember seeing pictures of the range on here in the past several days but cannot find them now.