Little Bear Conditions

Colorado peak questions, condition requests and other info.
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shepherdkyle
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Little Bear Conditions

Post by shepherdkyle »

Anyone do Little Bear recently or one of the surrounding peaks and able to see conditions of the hour glass?
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CaptainSuburbia
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Re: Little Bear Conditions

Post by CaptainSuburbia »

The SW ridge is probably your best bet right now.
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shepherdkyle
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Re: Little Bear Conditions

Post by shepherdkyle »

CaptainSuburbia wrote: Tue Nov 09, 2021 4:39 pm The SW ridge is probably your best bet right now.
Hoping to climb hourglass with crampons, ropes, etc.
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Will_E
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Re: Little Bear Conditions

Post by Will_E »

CaptainSuburbia wrote: Tue Nov 09, 2021 4:39 pm The SW ridge is probably your best bet right now.
Isn’t that your standard response to any question on this site?
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Re: Little Bear Conditions

Post by CaptainSuburbia »

Will_E wrote: Tue Nov 09, 2021 7:29 pm
CaptainSuburbia wrote: Tue Nov 09, 2021 4:39 pm The SW ridge is probably your best bet right now.
Isn’t that your standard response to any question on this site?
And your point is?
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Re: Little Bear Conditions

Post by supranihilest »

CaptainSuburbia wrote: Wed Nov 10, 2021 10:06 am
Will_E wrote: Tue Nov 09, 2021 7:29 pm
CaptainSuburbia wrote: Tue Nov 09, 2021 4:39 pm The SW ridge is probably your best bet right now.
Isn’t that your standard response to any question on this site?
And your point is?
I'm sorry but that answer is incorrect. The answer is "southwest ridge."

But seriously, the Hourglass is probably in terrible condition right now, either garbage snow or very icy. The southwest ridge most likely is your best bet, OP. The Hourglass makes a better snow climb in spring.
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Re: Little Bear Conditions

Post by Scott P »

shepherdkyle wrote: Tue Nov 09, 2021 4:55 pm
Hoping to climb hourglass with crampons, ropes, etc.
It's the wrong season for that. There's no way it would be in condition right now.
I'm old, slow and fat. Unfortunately, those are my good qualities.
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Re: Little Bear Conditions

Post by greenonion »

shepherdkyle wrote: Tue Nov 09, 2021 8:12 am Anyone do Little Bear recently or one of the surrounding peaks and able to see conditions of the hour glass?
You’ll be starting up a Mental Health 2 post if you try the hourglass now. (Seriously though, that was a great post and idea you did with number 1.)

I haven’t done LB yet but I know what these folks are getting at regarding the hourglass and mixed, unconsolidated conditions this time of year. Choose wisely and be safe!
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Re: Little Bear Conditions

Post by Ptglhs »

2nd what the others have said. If you want to do the hourglass wait til April. You might be able to find someone crazy enough to have recently ascended via blackhand, and could give you some beta.

I'd hold off for 5 months for the hourglass.
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OldTrad
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Re: Little Bear Conditions

Post by OldTrad »

Ptglhs wrote: Wed Nov 10, 2021 2:01 pm You might be able to find someone crazy enough to have recently ascended via blackhand, and could give you some beta.
The trouble with this idea is you still have to get off.
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Re: Little Bear Conditions

Post by shepherdkyle »

Thank you for the replies. I don’t think there will be enough ice with current conditions, thus the post, so I’m eyeing other opportunities this weekend. I’ll likely do it in the winter, so I don’t have to mess with other folks and rockfall.
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Re: Little Bear Conditions

Post by supranihilest »

shepherdkyle wrote: Wed Nov 10, 2021 4:14 pm Thank you for the replies. I don’t think there will be enough ice with current conditions, thus the post, so I’m eyeing other opportunities this weekend. I’ll likely do it in the winter, so I don’t have to mess with other folks and rockfall.
Southwest ridge is still the better route in winter or when avalanches are a concern. The Hourglass is extremely finicky and dangerous with snow. The southwest ridge is the vastly superior route due to its almost complete lack of objective danger. Having done both routes I don't think I'd ever do the Hourglass again, regardless of season. Just my 2¢.
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