How much wind is too much wind?

[jronza88]

The weather in Leadville over the past couple of days has been exceptional, albeit a little windy. I hiked Mount Massive’s southwest slopes yesterday - great hike despite some strong winds above the treeline. I attempted to climb Mount Arkansas this morning. Again, great hike, but this time I felt like it was too much wind. I was the only one on Mount Arkansas, which was fun. I reached the summit ridge at about 9am and found a place to rest and consider my options: do I cross the narrow summit ridge with wind literally pushing me towards the north face or turn back? The National Weather Service had forecasted sustained winds up to 20 mph and gusts 30+ mph for Leadville. That only makes me wonder how strong the winds really were on Mount Arkansas. After getting hit by a few strong gusts, I decided to turn back.

What do you consider too much wind? Has wind ever made you decide to turn back? I’m having a little trouble justifying my decision.

[JQDivide]

I think wind is probably the most underrated weather condition when hiking.
People want to know about temps, rain and snow... but it's usually the wind that turns people around or makes a hike miserable.

It's easier to prepare for temperatures and rain/snow than for wind.
But the temps and rain/snow play a big part in how that wind feels.

As for turning around due to wind, yep, people do it all the time.
How much wind? Depends. The colder and wetter the less wind it takes to change plans.

[MichaelWG]

I experienced what I believe were sustained 30mph winds with 60-70mph gusts on the DeCaLiBro that I could literally lean into at a 45 degree angle and not fall over. It was enough to make us decide not to traverse from Cameron to Lincoln, despite that being an otherwise incredibly easy crossing.

I would say it obviously depends on the terrain/exposure, but for me, I start questioning my desire to continue onward if I have to frequently crouch down to keep from falling over when a major gust rolls through.

Seeing Alan Arnette's injury made this feel like a particularly real issue.

[justiner]

When it becomes one step forward, two steps back.

Or when the wind is so bad it hurts my ears.

It's pretty embarrassing to turn back b/c of wind, but I've been turned back on Longs three or four times simply from wind. There's just nothing we could do!

[colospgs]

On Sunday I cancelled a trip to Mt. Yale from Kroenke Lake I had planned for Monday due to the wind forecast. http://www.mountain-forecast.com showed sustained winds at 35mph for Monday, and I can only imagine what the gusts would be. Given your experience on Massive and Arkansas that forecast seems pertty accurate. And after I almost got knocked off my feet on Columbia earlier this year, I pay attention to that.

[JROSKA]

I’ve always had a low tolerance for wind although I’m be gotten a little better than I used to be. Generally though I’m turning back if I’m feeling close to getting blown over. And 6 feet tall and 160 pounds gets knocked over relatively easily, probably a 50 mph gust. So if I see 20-30 mph in a nearby city at lower elevation I usually assume it will be a bit too windy for me above treeline. I’m sure there will be others who laugh at my low tolerance for wind or joke “how do you ever climb a mountain then” and that’s fine, we all have different limits. But for me it needs to be fun & if I’m getting knocked over that isn’t any fun.

[bmcqueen]

My general rule for what it's worth:

<=15 mph - I'm stoked and feeling like the weather gods are smiling in my direction.
>15, but <=25 mph - I'm mildly annoyed, but don't change my planned peak or route - I just know it's more likely that I'm going to use one layer more than I would on a <15 mph day
>25, but <=40 mph - the hike is starting to sound a bit more like Type 2 or 3 fun and I at least ponder whether I should do a less technical peak or route.
>40, but <=60 mph - in all likelihood, I dial back my objective to something that there is little to no risk of me falling off of. I am prepared with goggles and to cover all of my skin while suffering through my dialed down objective.
>60 mph - I think pretty seriously about staying home and working on the honey do list instead.

I'm pretty stubborn in terms of turning back due to wind. The rule that is usually going through my head is if I get knocked down three times, it's time to go down. That hasn't happened very often though. I'm a pretty big guy and can sustain a lot with my trekking pole for balance. I yell back at the wind frequently of course, but I can tell you with near 100% certainty that this does not help.

Pretty similar thought process honestly between summer and winter for me, but in winter, when you get north of 40-45 mph, there are definitely consequences of not having your skin sufficiently covered.

Hope that helps.

[jronza88]

Mount Arkansas is by no means a difficult climb, but those wind speeds plus the somewhat narrow ridge I was about to cross had me concerned. If it had been a broader summit, gusts in the 30-40 mph range would have simply been a nuisance. It’s hard for me to live with turning back because I only get the chance to come to Colorado once a year.

[bmcqueen]

Mount Arkansas is by no means a difficult climb, but those wind speeds plus the somewhat narrow ridge I was about to cross had me concerned. If it had been a broader summit, gusts in the 30-40 mph range would have simply been a nuisance. It’s hard for me to live with turning back because I only get the chance to come to Colorado once a year.

Better to live with turning back then push a bad situation and get injured (or worse, not live with not turning back). Don't beat yourself up - the mountain will still be there next time. And for that part of the state, Arkansas definitely has some terrain that you could fall off of, so it's good you made the safe call.

[SchralpTheGnar]

Standing at the boulder field on long on January, discussing st the top of my lungs whether it’s too windy to continue to go on with my brother, then seeing him get knocked flat on his back by the wind, we decided to turn around. That was too much wind!

[Flyingfish]

I get the turning around due to wind. Sunday we had to bail on the Crestones traverse due to the high winds and the probability of being blown off the crux wall. That being said I have also summitted Pikes in 50+ mph gusts so I think to me at least it depends on terrain and how much I want to suffer on any particular day.

[planet54]

"There’s No Such Thing As Bad Weather…Just Bad Gear"
Whoever came up with that saying never had to deal with serious wind. Sometimes there is nothing that you can do.