Cathedral Peak conditions

Colorado peak questions, condition requests and other info.
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Tornadoman
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Re: Cathedral Peak conditions

Post by Tornadoman »

I climbed Cathedral last year on June 21st. This was absolutely the latest that I think it would have been snow covered last year. There were one or two steps on dirt/rock part way up the couloir and it was melting fast. I think this year may be similar as things seem to be dry in that part of the state.
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supranihilest
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Re: Cathedral Peak conditions

Post by supranihilest »

My climbing partner and I did Cathedral May 15th of last year as a day trip with a start time of 5am. We brought snowshoes and only used them on the hike out from the base of the couloir, which was approximately 10:30am. Snow on our way out was awful and we were postholing like crazy, even in snowshoes. I still recommend daytripping Cathedral just because the stats aren't that big and hauling in all that extra stuff means you'll be more tired for the climb, and then if snow is poor on your way out you've got all that extra weight causing more postholes and making those postholes harder to get out of. If you're a slow climber start even earlier.
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HikerGuy
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Re: Cathedral Peak conditions

Post by HikerGuy »

June 18, 2018 here. Apron was melted out. I think early June is probably the best time for Cathedral.
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Re: Cathedral Peak conditions

Post by uwe »

Hi,

I am planning a May 15/16. Backpack in Saturday morning. Climb Sunday and return home loop. I’ll send you beta.
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Jonathan Deffenbaugh
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Re: Cathedral Peak conditions

Post by Jonathan Deffenbaugh »

Would highly recommend the Pearl Couloir to the right (north) of Cathedral's summit that tops out near the summit from the east. Pure asthetic snow climb and a hidden treasure for those who find it. Just have a brief Class 4 step to the left after you top out then it's a nice walk on the summit ridge, then down the standard route. Ended up facing in on the way down but was a great circle tour de Cathedral. I would recommend climbing it early Jun. Did it late Jun last year and the apron was pretty much gone at that point.
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climbingcue
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Re: Cathedral Peak conditions

Post by climbingcue »

Jonathan Deffenbaugh wrote: Mon May 03, 2021 1:31 pm Would highly recommend the Pearl Couloir to the right (north) of Cathedral's summit that tops out near the summit from the east. Pure asthetic snow climb and a hidden treasure for those who find it. Just have a brief Class 4 step to the left after you top out then it's a nice walk on the summit ridge, then down the standard route. Ended up facing in on the way down but was a great circle tour de Cathedral. I would recommend climbing it early Jun. Did it late Jun last year and the apron was pretty much gone at that point.
We went up and down Pearl Couloir last year on 5/9/20. I want to go back and snowboard it, a great climb.
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Re: Cathedral Peak conditions

Post by d_baker »

I have climbed the couloir "standard" route twice. First time was a June backpack/bivy, and second time, again in June, as a day trip.
Both were enjoyable, but he day trip was likely more efficient with less weight to carry in.

Edit: first was June 12 & 13, 2009 and the second was on June 10th, 2016. Our '09 trip, my notes indicate we didn't bring snowshoes. In '16 I think we did. Not sure how those decisions were made! The trip in '09, we started from the trailhead in the afternoon around 3pm and set up camp below the lake by 4pm, and departed camp in the morning by 4:30am, on summit by 7:10am.
I don't have notes for the '16 trip.
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blazintoes
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Re: Cathedral Peak conditions

Post by blazintoes »

These pictures were conditions on January 20th this year. I was surprised that the standard col remains shaded late in the day during the winter. With my late start I turned around because I had a bad feeling so no snowflake for me. Elks are best enjoyed in March IMO.
For summer I’ve day tripped twice and did the standard col both times. Once in June the other in early August. In June the snow was perfect and glissading was the best I’ve ever experienced. In August the col was still in and again a late entry/exit was not a concern. The sun angle changes in summer and the col gets more direct sunlight but this is needed later in season. Long story.
Cathedral is probably best enjoyed in summer as a day trip in June up and down the standard col with an early start (0400).
Or as a backpack if you don’t want to push hard but that is a lot of work with house keeping etc.
By June the trail to the lake should be dry.
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tonythetiger
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Re: Cathedral Peak conditions

Post by tonythetiger »

Thanks for all of the great advice and beta.

If we decide to backpack in, we will do so in the morning to minimize postholing and allow us to rest up before the climb. But we may decide to go in early for a day trip.
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