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Has anybody been skiing in the High Peaks this week? Just wondering what the conditions are.
High Peaks ski conditions
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DeadFred
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Phil,
I and a friend went in yesterday (Thursday, March 11) and although we didn't ski, we did hike in on the AMR road and climbed Sawteeth.
Yesterday was beautiful temps in the high 40's, possibly into the low 50's with clear skies and lots of sun, thus the snow became a little sticky as the day went on, even in the shaded areas and the north facing slopes. It stuck pretty well to our MSR snowshoes.
We actually commented to each other that the conditions were great for hiking but not ideal for skiing. Today's weather may change those conditions we experienced yesterday, but overall, I's say that you may face some pretty slick and sticky snow, or icy snow if the temps have dropped low enough to consolidate the thaw from yesterday. Turns will be tough in those conditions, I would think. At low elevation the snow had melted out pretty well yesterday. For example, on the way in the AMR road was mostly all covered with (maybe) enough cover to ski it. At the end of the day it had melted out so much that only about the last mile toward Lower Ausable has a couple inches on it, with much rock and dirt on the remainder of the road out. No way to ski that without a good snowfall.
Hope this helps a little.
Fred
I and a friend went in yesterday (Thursday, March 11) and although we didn't ski, we did hike in on the AMR road and climbed Sawteeth.
Yesterday was beautiful temps in the high 40's, possibly into the low 50's with clear skies and lots of sun, thus the snow became a little sticky as the day went on, even in the shaded areas and the north facing slopes. It stuck pretty well to our MSR snowshoes.
We actually commented to each other that the conditions were great for hiking but not ideal for skiing. Today's weather may change those conditions we experienced yesterday, but overall, I's say that you may face some pretty slick and sticky snow, or icy snow if the temps have dropped low enough to consolidate the thaw from yesterday. Turns will be tough in those conditions, I would think. At low elevation the snow had melted out pretty well yesterday. For example, on the way in the AMR road was mostly all covered with (maybe) enough cover to ski it. At the end of the day it had melted out so much that only about the last mile toward Lower Ausable has a couple inches on it, with much rock and dirt on the remainder of the road out. No way to ski that without a good snowfall.
Hope this helps a little.
Fred
teleskier
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High Peaks skiing
I was on Marcy yesterday (the 11th) and it was fantastic! Skied to within about 50 yrs of the summit rock, great corn snow on the bowl, just excellent conditions all the way. A few exposed rocks in the usual places down low, but I only had to take my skis off in that last quarter-mile to the Loj, and probably wouldn't have had to do that if I'd taken the Old Marcy Dam trail back. They're supposed to get 1-3" today, and colder on Sat, so the skiing should be quite good in the Peaks this weekend.
I was on Marcy yesterday (the 11th) and it was fantastic! Skied to within about 50 yrs of the summit rock, great corn snow on the bowl, just excellent conditions all the way. A few exposed rocks in the usual places down low, but I only had to take my skis off in that last quarter-mile to the Loj, and probably wouldn't have had to do that if I'd taken the Old Marcy Dam trail back. They're supposed to get 1-3" today, and colder on Sat, so the skiing should be quite good in the Peaks this weekend.
DeadFred
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Sorry if my post led to a different conclusion than teleskier's. That's why I made it clear that I hiked yesterday (not skied), thus allowing you to put it into the proper perspective. And since I'm not much of a XC skier, I probably looked at things a little more from a hiker or downhill skier's point of view.
All that being said...after today's snow and freeze, I would think conditions would be even better than teleskier experienced yesterday.
teleskier
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Dead Fred...
No apolgies necessary - we were just in different places. The Loj sits a lot higher than the Ausable Club road, and even there, it was thinning out down low, so I'm not surprised you had the impression you did. Plus, the snow was definitely sticky - froze to my skins, making the climb tedious. I didn't mention that only because with colder temps this weekend, figured it wouldn't be an issue. And the ski down really was fantastic, no problems with ice-up then. All in all, a great day, but definitely a more tiring one than I expected!
No apolgies necessary - we were just in different places. The Loj sits a lot higher than the Ausable Club road, and even there, it was thinning out down low, so I'm not surprised you had the impression you did. Plus, the snow was definitely sticky - froze to my skins, making the climb tedious. I didn't mention that only because with colder temps this weekend, figured it wouldn't be an issue. And the ski down really was fantastic, no problems with ice-up then. All in all, a great day, but definitely a more tiring one than I expected!
DeadFred
New member
teleskier: thanks. I just didn't want to mislead Phil in any way or discourage him from going. Like we both agreed...this snow and freeze today and over the weekend will make for good conditions for him moving forward.
bridgeman,
How ya doin' man?!
Well, I've been skunked in the Santanonis TWICE recently (I only got Panther). Long story on my last attempt- it was pretty messed up. So I'm stuck at 42 right now. Basin, Allen, Santi and Couchie. I'm actually making more progress on my winter list than the original 46. I just did Sawteeth yesterday and I felt so guilty that the conditions were so good that it shouldn't even qualify as a winter climb. Of course, I can't count how many I've done outside the winter time frame that SHOULD have been considered a winter climb!
We need to get out and do some hikes together soon. How many more for you? Dakota says hello. Check out the trips forum for my upcoming third attempt into the Santis for next weekend. Let me know if you want to join in the fun.
bridgeman,
How ya doin' man?!
Well, I've been skunked in the Santanonis TWICE recently (I only got Panther). Long story on my last attempt- it was pretty messed up. So I'm stuck at 42 right now. Basin, Allen, Santi and Couchie. I'm actually making more progress on my winter list than the original 46. I just did Sawteeth yesterday and I felt so guilty that the conditions were so good that it shouldn't even qualify as a winter climb. Of course, I can't count how many I've done outside the winter time frame that SHOULD have been considered a winter climb!
We need to get out and do some hikes together soon. How many more for you? Dakota says hello. Check out the trips forum for my upcoming third attempt into the Santis for next weekend. Let me know if you want to join in the fun.
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