East Osceola, Mt. Osceola via Greeley Ponds Trail, Osceola Trail
Date of Hike: Monday, December 30, 2008
Trail Conditions: Ice, frozen granular
Special Equipment Required: Crampons absolutely required
Comments:
Greeley Ponds Trail parking area *is* plowed.
Greeley Ponds Trail to the Osceola Trail junction is now in good shape - well packed, water crossings no problem, currently barebootable.
Osceola Trail to East Osceola - lower portions can be done with Microspikes. However, once at the steeps, crampons are absolutely required. Solid blue ice almost everywhere, steep sections you simply can't get around. Upon clearing the ridge, one can use Microspikes to get the short distance to the summit. Lots of random postholes as well.
Osceola Trail to Mt. Osceola - mostly frozen granular, but still quite a few blue ice sections. Chimney had blue ice in it and bypass had enough to make it tricky as well. Crampons required.
Snow drifting going on along the East Osceola ridge and the ridge between the peaks, but with the conditions, there's no point in stopping to put on snowshoes right now.
Your name: rocket21
Your E-mail address: [email protected]
Date of Hike: Monday, December 30, 2008
Trail Conditions: Ice, frozen granular
Special Equipment Required: Crampons absolutely required
Comments:
Greeley Ponds Trail parking area *is* plowed.
Greeley Ponds Trail to the Osceola Trail junction is now in good shape - well packed, water crossings no problem, currently barebootable.
Osceola Trail to East Osceola - lower portions can be done with Microspikes. However, once at the steeps, crampons are absolutely required. Solid blue ice almost everywhere, steep sections you simply can't get around. Upon clearing the ridge, one can use Microspikes to get the short distance to the summit. Lots of random postholes as well.
Osceola Trail to Mt. Osceola - mostly frozen granular, but still quite a few blue ice sections. Chimney had blue ice in it and bypass had enough to make it tricky as well. Crampons required.
Snow drifting going on along the East Osceola ridge and the ridge between the peaks, but with the conditions, there's no point in stopping to put on snowshoes right now.
Your name: rocket21
Your E-mail address: [email protected]
