Royce Lakes Area

Regional discussion and conditions reports for the Golden State. Please post partners requests and trip plans in the California Climbing Partners forum.
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Deb

 
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Royce Lakes Area

by Deb » Mon Jul 23, 2012 8:54 pm

Good day SPer's! Looking for beta on snow conditions for the snowfield in Royce-Merriam saddle. I'm about 80% sure this is where I will end up this coming weekend and I don't want to carry over 25lbs for 3 days... meaning no crampons or axe.
Please chime in if you have seen or been on this snowfield in the past 3 weeks. :)

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Kahuna

 
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Re: Royce Lakes Area

by Kahuna » Mon Jul 23, 2012 9:16 pm

Completely void of any snow!

Just got a verified report from a local crew that did the DNB last week.

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Deb

 
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Re: Royce Lakes Area

by Deb » Mon Jul 23, 2012 9:43 pm

EEEWww, probably the same with Royce/Feather Couloir?

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Vitaliy M.

 
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Re: Royce Lakes Area

by Vitaliy M. » Tue Jul 24, 2012 6:54 pm

Deb wrote:EEEWww, probably the same with Royce/Feather Couloir?


no that will have snow, or even ice. I would suggest bringing crampons/axe and going up to feather, traversing to Royce and Merriam if you are up for a talus hop from Royce. Two sub peaks there have great 4th class summit blocks too. Highly recommend those. 300ft or so for awesome block and view of the big peaks across/royce lakes.

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Deb

 
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Re: Royce Lakes Area

by Deb » Tue Jul 24, 2012 7:16 pm

Vitaliy M. wrote:
Deb wrote:EEEWww, probably the same with Royce/Feather Couloir?


no that will have snow, or even ice. I would suggest bringing crampons/axe and going up to feather, traversing to Royce and Merriam if you are up for a talus hop from Royce. Two sub peaks there have great 4th class summit blocks too. Highly recommend those. 300ft or so for awesome block and view of the big peaks across/royce lakes.

OH! Say it again! Royce/Feather Couloir has snow/ice?! Not FEATHER couloir, but the "baby" one - I will be solo. *trying to not get too excited just yet*

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Kahuna

 
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Re: Royce Lakes Area

by Kahuna » Tue Jul 24, 2012 7:41 pm

Deb,

To be honest I do not think there will be all that much snow or ice in the Feather/Royce gully/couloir.

If there is, it will be sparse to say the least and you can rap it via several rap anchors you will find on descender's/skiers left. The rap anchors were intact last year.

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Vitaliy M.

 
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Re: Royce Lakes Area

by Vitaliy M. » Tue Jul 24, 2012 7:51 pm

A5RP wrote:Deb,

To be honest I do not think there will be all that much snow or ice in the Feather/Royce gully/couloir.

If there is, it will be sparse to say the least and you can rap it via several rap anchors you will find on descender's/skiers left. The rap anchors were intact last year.


She is trying to carry less weight. I do not think she will bring a rope.

I guarantee that that baby slope will be full snow or ice in early morning.

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Deb

 
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Re: Royce Lakes Area

by Deb » Tue Jul 24, 2012 10:59 pm

I'll probably bring crampoons just in case, no rope....I'm no tough guy, I'd rather risk a solo downclimb that carry a heavyass rope. :)
Thanks for the info guyz.

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Kahuna

 
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Re: Royce Lakes Area

by Kahuna » Tue Jul 24, 2012 11:43 pm

Deb,

Just confirmed with one of the other "Services" that the Royce/Feather Col is quote "Very marginal with nothing close to normal snow and or ice conditons.". This being reported from one of their trip leaders from last week.

Let me know if this report is accurate when you get back so I can pass it on and write in the book next door.

Have fun and be safe.

PS: You should give us buzz and maybe come by for dinner. Michele would love to chat with you.

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Re: Royce Lakes Area

by AlexRts » Wed Jul 25, 2012 12:53 am

Good info.

Does anyone here have any information on the north ridge of Feather? I had been looking at that to do a full traverse of all three peaks, but can not find any information about it.

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Vitaliy M.

 
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Re: Royce Lakes Area

by Vitaliy M. » Thu Jul 26, 2012 6:21 pm

Alex, I believe this is what you are looking for: http://mountainproject.com/v/north-ridge/106003336

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Re: Royce Lakes Area

by AlexRts » Fri Jul 27, 2012 12:23 am

Great. Thanks Vitaily.

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Deb

 
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Re: Royce Lakes Area

by Deb » Mon Jul 30, 2012 9:23 pm

BTW, the skeeters are OUT at Pine Lake. yuk

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Vitaliy M.

 
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Re: Royce Lakes Area

by Vitaliy M. » Mon Jul 30, 2012 10:17 pm

So how was your trip?

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Deb

 
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Re: Royce Lakes Area

by Deb » Tue Jul 31, 2012 1:00 am

fail It's been a bad week and my mind wasn't clearly on task at hand, so I got fouled up trying to find Royce Pass, ended up down-climbing the east face of Treasure and took a little tumble. Napped in the meadow then hobbled on out to hang with good friends. It was perfect weather though.

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