Hi all,

Whats' the post-New Year's word? How's Cascade Falls looking right now? I assume Lee Vining is starting to fill in with these temps- how's it looking?

Thanks!
Aran

I heard Cascade Falls is mostly snow covered/ melting in warmer temps. Any news on other spots? Or is it all hush hush...

three weeks ago cascade was just starting to come in; eagle creek had absolutely zero. no idea since then
edit: Coldwater is in (second hand source)

Bump, wondering how things look in LVC?

LVC:

B-H Wall zilch
Main Wall nicely in
Chouinard Falls mostly in; lower slabs are out, so routes are shorter and steeper.

approach packed and easy

Lundy: snowshoes or skis approach; up to 24" coverage
Parker: drive around first gate; pavement plowed enough to drive on; gravel road approach impassable to vehicles

The Chief wrote:

Lundy: snowshoes or skis approach; up to 24" coverage

Is that 24" of climbable ice? Or snow on the approach?

I was in there two weeks ago and there wasn't shit for ice....

snow on the approach, Chief; but about the same depth burying the shelves - not worth it to make the approach as of last w/e. I assume Parker would be even more buried, but after Lundy we didn't feel up to the huff to the falls themselves. Any idea if Pine Creek has anything?

Got pics The Chief?

Climbed June Roadside today with Em and Annie. Great conditions and surprisingly warm. Horsetail looks FAT! Anyone been there recently? Hoping to hit it next week.

There are some cool routes in!

Looking for Horsetail Falls beta from this past weekend. Hoping to get on it Tuesday.

Deb, if you don't mind, let us know how it looks! I've been itching to get up there but work has been killing me recently. Cheers!

Deb wrote:Looking for Horsetail Falls beta from this past weekend. Hoping to get on it Tuesday.

Hey Deb,

We climbed Horsetail on Friday and the left and right side was in very fat. The middle still has running water as it often does. The top of the right side just below the anchors is thin and not so much fun on lead, but that is only 10-15 feet of climbing. Also some of the ice on the right side is more like ice over snow, however that can be bypassed to climb on solid ice if you look for it....it is easily visible. The left side is much better climbing, has a couple steep sections and better ice quality throughout.

The approach is good too, the snow was good hardpack in the morning and late afternoon, but if it stays warm or you will be on it midday you might want snowshoes. Have fun up there.

Is the ice in Lee Vining thick enough to climb yet? Should we let it fatten up more so it doesn't break off?

There are 3 distinct flows on the Main Wall. Central flow (plum line?) and flow to the left (Main wall/main wall direct?) of it are in great shape with thin ice in spots on the bottom part. Central flow felt wi4-/4ish and flow on the left felt wi4/4+ish- steeper and less picked out than central line. Flow to the right of Middle flow (caveman?) looks doable but I saw two parties back off from it, and did not try it myself yet.

Choinard wall is in thick almost everywhere. Thin on the left side in spots though.

Will post a few pictures tonight..

Cheers mtndonkey and Vitaliy! Maybe see you guys out there soon.