Bierstadt Winter Climb - Avalanche Danger?
Smith Duggan
curious about how to find more information on potential avalanche
danger. I have checked out the Colorado Avalanche Information Center
which reports Moderate danger with pockets of Considerable for the
general area.
Is there any way to get more specific information on Mt. Bierstadt
itself? One website said that "The avalanche danger is usually very
minimal because of the high winds that scour the Guanella Pass area."
The minimal danger is the main reason I would like to try to climb
this mountain.
Can anyone help?
Joshua
more information.
Bear in mind that the recent snowstorm(s) have increased the avalanche
danger in areas where they are not usually expected.
"Smith Duggan" <Carl_...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:4ab7f39a.03032...@posting.google.com...
Climb14er
Go here and ask:
http://www.fourteenerworld.com/
Someone might know.
Climb14er
Denver, CO
"Smith Duggan" <Carl_...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:4ab7f39a.03032...@posting.google.com...
John Smith
That's the website for the Clear Creek Ranger Station in Idaho Springs. If
you're coming up from the east on 70, you'll go right by it (it's pretty
much right on the highway). Other than someone who's been up there the last
few days, they'll have the most current info. Phone and address at the top
of the page.
Given the recent snow fall, I'd be questioning just how far up Guanella Pass
you'll be able to get in a vehicle. Some or all of the road may be closed
(or impassable to your vehicle) which would add a few miles at the least to
your hike. I've not been up there lately, but last year about this time,
the road was passable to the top (then again, we hadn't just had a lot of
snow) but barely for a 2wd. The pass itself is really windswept - if you've
got ski goggles, I'd bring 'em along with something to cover your face. And
I wouldn't even think about going without snowshoes, though that probably
goes without saying. ; )
bbense+rec.cli...@telemark.slac.stanford.edu
In article <4ab7f39a.03032...@posting.google.com>,
_ The fact that you're asking this question pretty much says to
me that you should reconsider your plans. If you're not confident
about going up there with no avalanche forecast at all, then you
are taking a unknown risk. Especially in the warmer spring
monthes avalanche danger can change drastically
from morning to afternoon.
>
>Can anyone help?
_ Avalanche forecasts are pretty useful things, but unless you
are confident in making your own judgements about avalanche
danger winter travel is foolhardy at best. You need the
tools and knowledge to make the decision on the spot. There
are always terrain traps and no forecast in the world is
going to keep you out of them. If you're going to play
russian roulette you at least ought to be able to figure
out how many bullets are in the gun[1].
_ Given the recent weather in Colorado, I would be very cautious.
Unstable weather means unstable snowpack.
_ Booker C. Bense
[1]- I travel solo in potential avalanche terrain quite a bit, so
it'd be hypocritical of me to tell you not to take the risk. I
just think it's important that you understand what kind of risk
you are taking.
-----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE-----
Version: 2.6.2
iQCVAwUBPoH07GTWTAjn5N/lAQEtNQQAs0kms2qWWSD61UG4J8mWoFBuuvNwCzvF
evllNKmTwajml5QrMeSR8Jsb5zLwRKJH4SKGkTrq7cnkl9FvSGpsBPqq8O8agmw7
nwuN0aQTE69vEvSnBLiPbSqV3hxsgQEV7c5ZLcL3oeuMFZv/vZmQ7BJa9EavRkdG
JYnf6vi4CC0=
=sWE0
-----END PGP SIGNATURE-----
Nate B
<bbense+rec.climbing
> _ The fact that you're asking this question pretty much says to
> me that you should reconsider your plans. If you're not confident
> about going up there with no avalanche forecast at all, then you
> are taking a unknown risk.
The fact that he's asking about conditions up there only a few days after
one of the biggest snow storms the state has ever seen pretty much says to
me he should wait until August.
- Nate