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I'll be in CO from Aug 15-Sept 2, and I'd like to get on an easy snow climb or two. I know that some areas got more snow than usual this year. Does anyone know of any easy snow that will be in condition that late in the season?

Hi,

Indian Peaks seem to have plenty of snow this year. I just did Navajo Peak via the Navajo Snowfield and North Face. There are "permanent snow fields" on many of the Indian Peaks. While not glaciers (they do not move, etc.) they promise plenty of snow later in summer, even when other ranges are melted out. That being said, when ice becomes the prominent texture of the snow on a 45 degree angle, the fun meter works it way downward a bit...

Good luck finding some fine climbs and have fun!

Sarah

Andrews Glacier in RMNP is easy and normally doable year-round. Other routes in the Park that reach the Continental Divide from the east are also going to be climbable, but are a bit more challenging. You may want to check in another couple of weeks to see which of the ephemeral snow routes remain in good shape. Whatever is in good shape may require crampons, especially after a cold night.

It is true that this is an unusual year for how much snow has fallen. Now, however, it's melting very fast. I read a report indicating that Dragontail had been climbed less than a week ago in good conditions. However, we were climbing on Hallett yesterday--right across Tyndall Gorge from Flattop--and it was clear that Dragontail was no longer in.