Mt. Timpanogos via Timpooneke Trail: Start Time?
Posted: Fri Jul 09, 2010 5:55 pm
Hello Utah team,
Our South Jordan based company is considering a "team outting" up Mt. Timp in August or perhaps September (more than likely September). For some reason, they have nominated their Colorado colleague to head up this initiative.
I am insisting on the "alpine start," getting to the Timpooneke TH by 3:00 AM or so. Accustomed to summitting peaks in the Colorado Rockies, I am used to needing to be off summits by noon to avoid lightening. Not to mention, sunrise is beautiful in the mountains.
I've even got colleagues saying in the past, they've started up Timp at midnight. Another colleague is insisting mid-day thunderstorms are "just not such a big deal" in the Wasatch and that we can wait until 6:00 to start. (He has reached this conclusion largely by what he sees out his office window...) I think this "6:00 AM start" colleague is slightly crazy, but I want some additional opinions from those who know Timp and the Wasatch well.
A few factors to consider:
*We have very few mountain climbers in this group but mostly seriously fit people (Leadville 100 types, mountain bikers, trail runners, road runners, road bikers, etc.)
*Everyone lives in the Utah valley or a higher elevation
In sum, some of my colleagues *really* want to do this group hike up Timp, but I don't think they are keen to an alpine start and I'd rather select a more manageable objective. With a bit more information from Wasatch experts (Gazelle? Dean? WasatchVoyage? TieDie? Others?) I can make a more informed decision that is best for my co-workers.
Thanks,
Sarah
Our South Jordan based company is considering a "team outting" up Mt. Timp in August or perhaps September (more than likely September). For some reason, they have nominated their Colorado colleague to head up this initiative.
I am insisting on the "alpine start," getting to the Timpooneke TH by 3:00 AM or so. Accustomed to summitting peaks in the Colorado Rockies, I am used to needing to be off summits by noon to avoid lightening. Not to mention, sunrise is beautiful in the mountains.
I've even got colleagues saying in the past, they've started up Timp at midnight. Another colleague is insisting mid-day thunderstorms are "just not such a big deal" in the Wasatch and that we can wait until 6:00 to start. (He has reached this conclusion largely by what he sees out his office window...) I think this "6:00 AM start" colleague is slightly crazy, but I want some additional opinions from those who know Timp and the Wasatch well.
A few factors to consider:
*We have very few mountain climbers in this group but mostly seriously fit people (Leadville 100 types, mountain bikers, trail runners, road runners, road bikers, etc.)
*Everyone lives in the Utah valley or a higher elevation
In sum, some of my colleagues *really* want to do this group hike up Timp, but I don't think they are keen to an alpine start and I'd rather select a more manageable objective. With a bit more information from Wasatch experts (Gazelle? Dean? WasatchVoyage? TieDie? Others?) I can make a more informed decision that is best for my co-workers.
Thanks,
Sarah