Wheeler Peak in New Mexico on May 17th

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glenmiz
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Re: Wheeler Peak in New Mexico on May 17th

Post by glenmiz »

Good luck this weekend. I'm anxious to hear how it goes.

Did you decide on the standard route or Bull of the Woods? Our plan is still Bull of the Woods on 5/24.
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E-dorvs
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Re: Wheeler Peak in New Mexico on May 17th

Post by E-dorvs »

Skied Wheeler yesterday (5/17) via the West Face from Williams Lake from approximately the Walter/Wheeler saddle. Full winter coverage at this point. A group skied the face direct from the summit and a summit ski is easily in via a few variations. Snowed upwards of 12" the previous 1-2 days which was heavy and wet down low after about 11am. Upper face was a mix of colder fresh and hardpack. New snow seemed to be pretty well bonded and there had been solid freezes the previous couple nights. Sounded like the Taos area had been getting consistent storms over the last 3-4 weeks. Coverage is deep and soft through the trees all the way to the based of Lift 4 with the road plowed and easy to that point.

As a heads up, the Bull of the Woods trailhead is still full snow coverage. Can't speak to the route itself but based on the coverage in the trees from Williams Lake TH and the surrounding basins as seen from the top, I would expect deep snow. Good skin/snowshoe track from the Williams Lake TH to the lake.
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sue personett
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Re: Wheeler Peak in New Mexico on May 17th

Post by sue personett »

This is late, I realize that but here is a good website to check for snow amounts....http://www.nohrsc.noaa.gov/interactive/ ... &js=1&uc=0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Namaste
Sue
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jblyth
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Re: Wheeler Peak in New Mexico on May 17th

Post by jblyth »

E-dorvs wrote:Skied Wheeler yesterday (5/17) via the West Face from Williams Lake from approximately the Walter/Wheeler saddle. Full winter coverage at this point. A group skied the face direct from the summit and a summit ski is easily in via a few variations. Snowed upwards of 12" the previous 1-2 days which was heavy and wet down low after about 11am. Upper face was a mix of colder fresh and hardpack. New snow seemed to be pretty well bonded and there had been solid freezes the previous couple nights. Sounded like the Taos area had been getting consistent storms over the last 3-4 weeks. Coverage is deep and soft through the trees all the way to the based of Lift 4 with the road plowed and easy to that point.

As a heads up, the Bull of the Woods trailhead is still full snow coverage. Can't speak to the route itself but based on the coverage in the trees from Williams Lake TH and the surrounding basins as seen from the top, I would expect deep snow. Good skin/snowshoe track from the Williams Lake TH to the lake.
Thanks for the beta, headed there this weekend.
Villa12
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Re: Wheeler Peak in New Mexico on May 17th

Post by Villa12 »

I'm thinking about heading up there this weekend to hike wheelers peak, do need snow gear or anything special. New to it all. Thanks.
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