SummitPost.org

Looking to do one of these two peaks on memorial day weekend.

Anyone know snow conditions? is there a lot of snow? are ax and crampons necessary? can the snow be avoided at all?

predictions of labor day conditions based on current snow amounts?

If it's pretty bad, any suggestions on good places to go that are similar, but might have less snow? aka cottonwood lakes area or anything else?

Thanks,
Thatcher

Do you mean Memorial Day?

MoapaPk wrote:Do you mean Memorial Day?

I was just thinking the same thing

Yeah, I meant memorial Day Weekend.

Thanks for that. I always get the two mixed up!

last year i did tyndall during memorial day weekend. snow line was just above anvil camp and definitely needed crampons for shepherds pass and the upper part of the north ridge... keep an eye on the weather next 3-4 weeks..

I doubt you can avoid snow on either peak. But I wouldn't let that bother you. For either one it will probably be just a few short sections. I would carry axe and crampons for both.

Last year it snowed a foot on me at Tyndall the week before Memorial

There's typically snow on Shepherd's Pass in July, so you can count on snow being there in late May. I suspect the peak itself will have a fair bit of snow as well. Your post also made it sound like you were planning on bagging both peaks over the same three days. Good luck with that. It's a lot of walking.[/b]

This is as of the day before yesterday. Shep Pass of course lies in between Williamson and Junction Pk.

I'd do Split. It's a much nicer experience with a good snow pack. I’d recommend St. Jean’s Couloir for a fun alpine experience. Just a warning; start very early the approach will be hot.

The rib on Tyndall is a real fun scramble, but probably better in July/August when it drier

We did Split a week ago. There was consistent snow above 8000 but it was melting quickly. St. Jean has a huge cornice blocking the exit on top. Here are some photos

http://thehamm.net/2010/04/split-mountain-attempt/

http://www.meetup.com/SoCal-Hikers-and-Peakbaggers/calendar/12994699/?from=list&offset=0

I'm not planning on doing both. One or the other. Leaning towards Split North slope. Taking some less experienced types.

know how consolidated the snow is? How much snow cover on the tallus? Nothings worse than postholing up 4000ft to the summit.

Most people I was with had snowshoes and only used them for one short section I did not bring them and was glad the snow down low got soft on th way to red lake otherthan that it fine

Pictures of Split from the 24th/25th of April. http://picasaweb.google.com/markshikingpictures/SplitMountain#

Carried snowshoes, but didn't need them. The north slope was mostly talus, but there was still some areas you could stay on snow.

As nice as Tyndall is, it sounds like Split might be a better option given the experience level of your crew. Some folks have complained about the exposure on the standard class 2 route on Tyndall. Toss some snow on that and it could prove dicey. Have fun.

Looks like it was a great trip, hvydrt!