Soloing Mt. Charleston Monday

[sdgull]

I am looking for a solo summit of Mt. Charleston on Monday.

Any advice? Start time? Turn around time?

Weather conditions?

Need Snow Shoes?

Approx roundtrip time frame?

[Dave B]

Doesn't "soloing" something imply a modicum of self sufficiency?

Check NOAA for a weather forecast, carry snow shoes and stash them if not needed. Start early and turn around when things seem to be too bad to continue.

[sdgull]

Well until I get some useful info from this forum, which I haven't had yet, then yes.... it's still considering "soloing".

[BillMiddlebrook]

[hornpeak]

If you are talking about the Mt. Charleston behind Las Vegas it got a new snow last night. What trailhead were you going to use?? I can see the summit from my office and it looks like a fair amount of snow fell.

[sdgull]

I read the south loop trail is closed until 2014. So, I am planning on taking the North Loop Trail.

I am flying out there today. I'm looking forward to spending some time up there by myself, my climbing partner has some responsibilities at home. Any immediate dangers I may want to be aware of? I hope to do the roundtrip in 9 hours.

[sdgull]

I rented my snow shoes today, for my summit attempt on Monday early AM.

I am considering doing the trail canyon trail to the summit, instead of the north loop trail.

Anyone have any thoughts?

[nyker]

I've been up there the past couple of winters in January.

Your enjoyment and success will nearly completely be dictated by the conditions and weather. If there is not much snow, these are easy but moderately long hikes, in heavier snow they can be tougher. I would bring snowshoes to be safe and (depending on how fast you move) start no later than 7AM, ideally before sunrise for a day trip.

My plan for each trip was to hit Griffith then Charleston the next day, both as daytrips from the south loop. I underestimated the terrain up there in winter conditions. See pics here from Jan 2013.

As luck would have it on each trip, there was significant new snow the day or two before (12+" lower down and 20" higher up plus drifting) which made for tough conditions to say the least. I did not summit on either trip. This makes the route a bit hard, particularly due to routefinding but also the necessary postholing. At times, visibility as about 50 yards or less when it was snowing.

In more than one instance, I wasn't able to drive the car much past the police station due to ice on the road. So take note of road conditions if there is weather moving in since this will make a LONG approach like an extra 5-10 miles.

On the last trip, about vertical 500ft before the summit, the ground gave way, dropped a 3" and I heard a "crack" like a muffled shotgun, after which I turned around.

I saw Mountain lion tracks twice in the first mile from the road which made for interesting approach in. Parts of the route are closed and they will give you a $250 fine if you are within the yellow taped section.

Have fun! Its a beautiful area up there.

[climbing_rob]

Hate to hijack anything here, but we'll be attempting Telescope peak early January. Are conditions on Charleston indicative of those on Telescope? (I'll make SURE everyone on the hike is well equipped and qualified.........)

[sdgull]

Hate to hijack anything here, but we'll be attempting Telescope peak early January. Are conditions on Charleston indicative of those on Telescope? (I'll make SURE everyone on the hike is well equipped and qualified.........)

You would be more successful starting a new thread. "I hate to hijack anything here, but I will do it anyway...."

[sdgull]

I've been up there the past couple of winters in January.

Your enjoyment and success will nearly completely be dictated by the conditions and weather. If there is not much snow, these are easy but moderately long hikes, in heavier snow they can be tougher. I would bring snowshoes to be safe and (depending on how fast you move) start no later than 7AM, ideally before sunrise for a day trip.

My plan for each trip was to hit Griffith then Charleston the next day, both as daytrips from the south loop. I underestimated the terrain up there in winter conditions. See pics here from Jan 2013.

As luck would have it on each trip, there was significant new snow the day or two before (12+" lower down and 20" higher up plus drifting) which made for tough conditions to say the least. I did not summit on either trip. This makes the route a bit hard, particularly due to routefinding but also the necessary postholing. At times, visibility as about 50 yards or less when it was snowing.

In more than one instance, I wasn't able to drive the car much past the police station due to ice on the road. So take note of road conditions if there is weather moving in since this will make a LONG approach like an extra 5-10 miles.

On the last trip, about vertical 500ft before the summit, the ground gave way, dropped a 3" and I heard a "crack" like a muffled shotgun, after which I turned around.

I saw Mountain lion tracks twice in the first mile from the road which made for interesting approach in. Parts of the route are closed and they will give you a $250 fine if you are within the yellow taped section.

Have fun! Its a beautiful area up there.

Thanks for the info. I have been watching the weather closely. It looks like it will be around 25 degrees by my start time and then gradually warm up to the 40's with very minimal wind. No new snow is in the forecast. My biggest concern is going to be accurate route finding and now that you mention it, I guess mountain lions. Damn.

I am hoping to start at 5am. Hoping to summit and back before 5pm. I am brining microspikes, snow shoes, wind gear, gaiters, gloves, 5 liters of water, extra socks, and a change of clothes (face mask, goggles) etc.

[hornpeak]

Please tell us how it went! I'm hoping to climb it sometime later this winter.