Advice for a low-key MLK Weekend

[chrisbuon]

Hey all,

My buddy and I are looking for advice on a low- key high peaks itinerary for the long weekend. Not necessarily looking to bag peaks--my partner's fitness level is down due to recovering from a nagging knee--but just want to get out for a couple nights. We'll probably want to hit some ice, too, which is why I said high peaks. Though with Mountainfest this weekend we may be out of luck with the ice.

Thanks in advance. This is a great site!

chris

[JClimbs]

You don't have to give up on ice just because it is the 'Fest weekend, though you should give up on anything close to the roads or well-known during the daylight hours and quite possibly well past them.
There are real options:
bring headlamps and go at night when most everyone else is in seminars or watching movies or at the bars.
Climb the lesser known stuff a longer distance from the road. In the HP, almost any drainage has some sort of climbable ice flow somewhere nearby. You probably won't find anything quite as classically appealing as the 'known' routes, but you can enjoy your time regardless.
Third, try some mixed climbing/drytooling. The Creature Wall in winter makes an excellent training ground (bring 70m ropes for toproping), as do the Beer Walls.
Fourth, Fuggedabout the HP. Head for Pharaoh instead. You can ski or snowshoe the relatively mild hike to leantos on the Lake and to the flow's base, climb the easiest part for a pitch and rap down (may have to leave gear) or you can play high-roller and go the distance: topping out on Pharaoh having started on the south wall is a Big Day, but it's a relatively mild descent down to the Lake and a leanto from there via a good trail.

[alistair]

Come join me on Saturday - Climbing Nippletop and Dial - 7am in the parking lot.

[m_shea]

nippletop, dial

hi i was wondering how nippletop and dial were this past weekend. i'm planning on going up there tomorrow (wednesday) and hiking thru friday. is there anything i should know? how much snow do the trails have? are snowshoes neccessary?
any input would be helpful.
thanks
mike

[billandjudy]

Hey Mike
I'm not sure how much snow fell this week, but there was a decent amount higher up last Saturday when Alistair and I were up. You'll probably need snowshoes this week. There was some running water beneath the snow at spots but w/ the deep freeze moving and the extra snowfall that shouldn't be a problem.
Good Luck
Bill