SummitPost.org

does anyone know what the snow conditions are like on Charleston? going up with my cousin memorial day weekend but he doesn't do snow, wondering how high we can go.
thanks in advance.

http://www.summitpost.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=53165

I bet by then the Devil's Thumb shortcut on the NLT will be pretty snow-free... but you will need to waddle through some snow on the way to the summit from there. I'm guessing gaiters and the willingness to step in kick-steps will be adequate, along with a tolerance for some class 3+ rock.

I may try the NLT-DT route next week, will tell you the conditions.

MoapaPk wrote:I may try the NLT-DT route next week, will tell you the conditions.

Yes, MoapaPk, please post a conditions report if you visit soon, as I also am planning Mt. C in the near future (3rd week of June). As I am extending a business trip to visit Mt. C is will have limited space for gear. In other words, if I need the insulated Scarpa stompers and the winter gaiters - I'd be better off opting for another area peak.

Thanks!

Sarah

sarah.simon wrote:

MoapaPk wrote:I may try the NLT-DT route next week, will tell you the conditions.

Yes, MoapaPk, please post a conditions report if you visit soon, as I also am planning Mt. C in the near future (3rd week of June). As I am extending a business trip to visit Mt. C is will have limited space for gear. In other words, if I need the insulated Scarpa stompers and the winter gaiters - I'd be better off opting for another area peak.
Sarah

I'm pretty sure that by the 3rd week in June, either post-holing a few places on the SLT, or taking the shortcuts on the NLT, will get you away from serious snow.

thank you much, will let you know how it goes. cousin told me they received 4 inches of new snow yesterday...this weather is too strange.

It will be in the 30s to low 40s at elevation this week, so I don't really know how much will melt off. I was just about to go up the Devil's Thumb shortcut, but now with the snow on the N-facing rock, I don't think that would be such a great idea.

Mummy would probably be reasonable, via the scree slope; but if he doesn't like snow, he's not going to be too happy. There are milder lumpy peaks like Fletcher, which will have old drifts on the N side, and the route up to Griffith by NLT will undoubtedly require post-holing.

Maybe you can convince him to go to Bridge Mt instead. The snow in Red Rock yesterday didn't stick.