Winter Routes

[dsr1986]

On the route page, the snowflake notation of "recommended as snow only" - is this assuming that you'll be doing a ski descent? Or just generally recommended for winter? If it's the latter, is it because the standard route is more difficult to find/follow with complete snow coverage?

Had a short summer this year, looking to extend my season, just trying to figure out the best way to do that.

[Scott P]

I don't know what route you are referring to specifically, but I believe they mean that the route is either unpleasant or dangerous once the snow melts. Many of those routes aren't good for winter (unless you hit them in perfect and stable conditions) since they are in couloirs. You would want to climb couloir routes in spring or early summer.

[peter303]

Scree fields are another example - unpleasant in summer, covered by snow in winter.

[HuskyRunner]

Check out Cooper's "Colorado Snow Climbs" http://www.amazon.com/Colorado-Snow-Cli ... 0976052598

Should also consider taking a AIARE level avalanche class if you're really thinking about getting out in winter.

[SkaredShtles]

<snip>
Should also consider taking a AIARE level avalanche class if you're really thinking about getting out in winter.

This^^.

Please.

At least know *something* about route finding in avalanche terrain if nothing else...

[metalmountain]

To echo what others said, snowflake routes don't necessarily mean winter routes. Many of them would be very dangerous in true winter conditions. You could pick off some of them really early in the snow season probably if the conditions were right, but you would want to be really picky about the route and that days conditions before attempting it.

Right now pretty much all those routes are going to be straight scree or just totally crappy rock. You can climb some couloirs and faces in winter conditions but you want to really know your stuff before you attempt it. Generally ridge routes are your best bet in winter, and a lot of those routes are not represented here. There are a plethora of avy courses here in CO, and my advice would sign up for a level 1 course this winter.

[dsr1986]

Had a short summer this year, looking to extend my season, just trying to figure out the best way to do that.

Do you have equip/clothes for winter?

Yes, I do. Have traction, microspikes, snowshoes, baselayers, midlayers, shells, etc. What I don't have is any real avy gear.

<snip>
Should also consider taking a AIARE level avalanche class if you're really thinking about getting out in winter.

This^^.

Please.

At least know *something* about route finding in avalanche terrain if nothing else...

This is good advice, thank you. Any recommended institutions to go through?

[HuskyRunner]

I took my level 1 class with Eli Helmuth from Colorado Mountain School. Excellent course and having instruction from somebody with the qualifications of Eli was worth every penny. Besides playing in RMNP in winter is pretty fun too!

[SoCool]

Removed, my post was irrelevant.

[randalmartin]

Had a short summer this year, looking to extend my season, just trying to figure out the best way to do that.

Do you have equip/clothes for winter?

Yes, I do. Have traction, microspikes, snowshoes, baselayers, midlayers, shells, etc. What I don't have is any real avy gear.

Of course the other side of this is making sure your partner has Avy gear and knowledge to use it. Having said all of that there are plenty of climbs you can do in Winter that avoid Avy prone areas completely. I would stick with those first so you get a true sense of what Winter involves (breaking trail, having the right clothing setup, knowing your pace in Winter conditions given you have much shorter days etc...).

[DoctorBreaks]

I was told by a lot of very helpful members from this site to do a lot of ridge hikes like as was previously mentioned on here. The way I interpreted it was sticking to easier class 1 routes like Quandary, Sherman, Elbert etc. This will be my first winter to hike and my second winter in CO, so I'm excited to get out there also!