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swaterfall
Apr 8, 2005, 3:31 PM
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Registered: Mar 18, 2005
Posts: 3
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I'm looking for Beta on current conditions on the Grand. I'd be psyched if any one knows any weather links, avy forecasts or has first hand info. I'd like to climb the Hossack-MacGowan (I know, I know, it's been skied) in two weeks but I don't want to put in the drive only to get spanked by bad conditions.
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iceisnice
Apr 8, 2005, 4:02 PM
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Registered: Jun 2, 2004
Posts: 874
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contact any of the rangers at the park. renny jackson is always glad to give info on conditions. we went to do the north face route a few weeks ago but they got hammered with snow and had to bail. the avy danger is pretty high right now from what i hear. don't know specifically about your route. if you do head up, check out the Grand North Couloir and Root Canal on your way. i've been trying to find out if they have ice in them yet, but no one has been up there recently.
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guanoboy
Apr 8, 2005, 4:14 PM
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Registered: Jan 2, 2004
Posts: 244
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it is likely to be full on winter conditions on the grand in late April. It is snowing at 5,000 feet right now. Looking at the weather, I would guess the grand is going to get at least 1-2 feet of snow in the next two weeks. You could always get a 60 degree, sunny, high pressure window - but in any case figure on tons of snow. I guess the bottom line is - it depends on the weather the couple of days you are there and the week before you get there (for avy conditions). Now, some avy specialist is going to gong-in with 'you need to know the snow pack for the whole season' - so there's my verbal pre-emptive strike.
PM me if you find yourself on the way. I could be convinced to head back up there for a route.
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pebbleman
Apr 10, 2005, 2:56 PM
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Registered: Apr 1, 2004
Posts: 80
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There is a site called www.mountainweather.com that has all manner of links to Teton conditions including hourly cams that actually show the peaks from the east and west, this is a very good site if you are interested in alpinism in the Tetons. Otherwise bring your ice tools and skis and be prepared to stay busy if the weather hoses, sounds like a killer trip though. What route is this exactly?
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renobdarb
Apr 10, 2005, 3:06 PM
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Registered: Feb 14, 2003
Posts: 393
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Not sure what current conditions are right now, but we've had a crappy winter in terms of snow. only about 350 inches this year, compared to 500+ last season. A friend of mine skied the Grand a couple weeks ago and had a blast. Not sure what they climbed on the assent, but they didn't mention any particular problems. We've gotten about 10-12" of new snow in the upper elevations in the last few days, but the snow pack is very solid due to some good, warm stretches over the last couple weeks. The avalanche hazard hasn't been above moderate in awhile. Check www.jhavalanche.org for a good report. I would say it's a good time to give it a shot, but make sure you check with the rangers for a full report. Have fun!
-b
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mainline
Apr 10, 2005, 9:53 PM
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Registered: Aug 30, 2002
Posts: 161
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The best link for current weather conditions and avalanche conditions in the tetons is below.
http://www.jhavalanche.org/...=forecast&area=teton
The Tetons are in full winter conditions right now. All ice routes in the high peaks are probably steep snow climbs right now. Several friends of mine climbed and skied the Ford/Stetner route about two weeks ago and reported hardly any ice where the three ice bulges usually are. However, avalanche conditions are significant. Be aware that the general Teton forcast does not apply to micro environments in the high peaks where localized wind and terrain can lead to dangerous conditions. I would wait until another high pressure system moves in and the corn cycle starts up before trying any of the major routes on the Grand.
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agrauch
Apr 25, 2005, 5:44 PM
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Registered: Nov 20, 2001
Posts: 217
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Yesterday, the Hossack-McGowan looked like it was all snow and ice. There was one pitch of blue ice down low near where Route Canal takes off. There might be more ice higher up but I couldn't tell. My guess is that the snow in the couloir will be firm-ish at the bottom and fairly inconsolidated at the top. We found good snow to the top of the Koven couloir, then occasionally knee deep snow up to the East Ridge of Owen. In general the aspect didn't matter as much as the elevation for snow conditions. Most aspects below 11K or so have slid within the last week.
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