snow levels in August

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matthewbrothers3
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snow levels in August

Post by matthewbrothers3 »

In August 2016 , I hiked Harvard, Blanca and Elbert, being from Texas I am not a snow person. I have plans for Massive, La Plata, etc this August. Knowing that 2019 has been a great year for snow, what is the chances of achieving this goal. FYI, I consider myself a rookie on these issues...
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bmcqueen
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Re: snow levels in August

Post by bmcqueen »

I expect you’ll be just fine by Aug.
"Good judgment comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgment." --- Nasreddin

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zinj
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Re: snow levels in August

Post by zinj »

It would be peculiar to have significant snow on normal routes in the Sawatches that late, so I second the “you'll be fine”.

If you want to make extra sure, avoid northern side approaches, and choose ridges over gullies. I did manage to get myself into very late season short snow climb on Massive, but it required me going way out into the cliffs above n halfmoon lakes (on purpose) for that to happen.

Even with the big snow year, I’d lay strong odds you’ll encounter very little of the white stuff that late
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peter303
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Re: snow levels in August

Post by peter303 »

Early August no problem.
It starts snowing lightly at the end of August most years. It does not accumulate and impede hiking. It starts to fall below freezing at night above 10,000 feet. You want hat, gloves, coat early morning. Sometimes there is ice at the edge of waterways.