James Peak/St Mary's Conditions

Colorado peak questions, condition requests and other info.
Forum rules
  • This is a mountaineering forum, so please keep your posts on-topic. Posts do not all have to be related to the 14ers but should at least be mountaineering-related.
  • Personal attacks and confrontational behavior will result in removal from the forum at the discretion of the administrators.
  • Do not use this forum to advertise, sell photos or other products or promote a commercial website.
  • Posts will be removed at the discretion of the site administrator or moderator(s), including: Troll posts, posts pushing political views or religious beliefs, and posts with the purpose of instigating conflict within the forum.
    For more details, please see the Terms of Use you agreed to when joining the forum.
Post Reply
User avatar
hatchmaster
Posts: 79
Joined: 12/27/2006
14ers: 20 
13ers: 3
Trip Reports (2)
 

James Peak/St Mary's Conditions

Post by hatchmaster »

My dad's old crampons - CHECK
New crampon straps - CHECK
Craigslist ice axe - CHECK
Helmet - Check

Ok I think its time I tried out my new snow climb gear. I was planning on going out last weekend but the wind scared me off. How are conditions? I have read alot of TRs and info on the internet. It seems that if I stick to the right (east) side of the "glacier" I should be fine. I'm really just looking for an excuse to try out my crampons for the first time, summit something, and try out glissading/self arrest.

Oh and would this be an ok climb to bring my 2year old lab? She has the ability but if it is not safe she will not go.

Thanks
JE242
Posts: 157
Joined: 5/1/2010
Trip Reports (0)
 

Re: James Peak/St Mary's Conditions

Post by JE242 »

I climbed James via the Glacier this morning. I started the around 5:30am. The whole way to james peak was perfect firmness for crampons. The return was just soft enough for perfect plung-stepping. I would suggest doing it early. The snow was pretty soft @ 9:00 am. Maybe try it out before bringing your pooch. Some dogs deal with post-holeing better than others.
Post Reply