Conditions Report - February 17, 2009

RED ROCK CANYON:


--Forecast and average temperatures for Red Rock Canyon.

--Webcam for Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area.

A Climber on Chips and Salsa in Red Rock
Archive Photo by Jason Martin

--The late exit and overnight permit number for Red Rock Canyon is 702-515-5050. If there is any chance that you will be inside the park after closing, be sure to call this number so that you don't get a ticket.

--The entrance to the scenic drive had a parking area for those who wanted to carpool up until approximately April of 2009. That lot has now become employee parking and people who want to carpool are required to park at the lot outside the Scenic Drive exit.

--The scenic drive currently opens its gates at 6 in the morning.

--There are plans to change the fee structure for camping and climbing in Red Rock Canyon. To learn more about the proposed changes and to find out how you can help keep the fees as they currently are, please click here.

JOSHUA TREE:

--Forecast and average temperatures for Joshua Tree National Park.

--Webcam for Joshua Tree National Park.

NORTHWEST:

-- A super resource for Skykomish Valley Climbing can be found here.

AAI Guide Forest McBrian guided Triple Couloirs mid-week last week.

--Forecast for the West Slope of the Cascades.

--Forecast for the East Slope of the Cascades.

--Webcam for Leavenworth and the Stuart Range.

--Sno-Park permits are available for purchase in Washington State. To purchase a permit and/or read more about them click here.

--Forecast for Mount Rainier.

--Forest Service Road Report for Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest.

--Mount Saint Helens, Mount Adams conditions and recreation report.


Dan Helmstadter skied the North Face of Mount Shuksan last week.
Photo by Dan Helmstadter

--An up-to-date ski and snow report for the Northwest may be found here.

--Up-to-date Pacific Northwest ice conditions may be found here.

--Enchantment permits info can be found by clicking here.

--AAI Guide Forest McBrian got after it last week, guiding Triple Couloirs on Dragontail Peak. They found snowy conditions without much ice. To read about the ascent, click here and here.

--Many parties got out over the weekend and last week even though the weather has been quite variable. Most people know that the Olympics have been having a hard time with weather. That same weather exists throughout the Pacific Northwest. This indivi dual climbed an obscure peak called Old Man's Nose. This team climbed Vesper Peak. And these guys found a break in the weather to climb in Index.

--The skiing has been a bit tougher. This party checked out Mt. Hood. This party got back into t he Hidden Lakes peak region. And this party checked out Lichtenberg Mountain.

SIERRA:

-- The Mt. Whitney lottery is now in progress. Click here to be directed to the Inyo National Forest website.

--For an update on road conditions in the Eastern Sierra region. Follow this link to read more.

--For up-to-date avalanche and weather reports in the Eastern Sierra, click here.

Tyler Lappetito on the North Arete of Matterhorn Peak on Monday
Photo by Bryce Stath

--Webcams for Bishop, June Lake, Mammoth Mountain, Mono Lake, Tioga Pass, and Yosemite National Park.

--There was a rockslide on Highway 140 on Tuesday. It is assumed that the road is still closed. For more information, click here.

--On Monday, this party attempted to make a winter ascent of Matterhorn Peak.

ALPS:

--Chamonix and Mont Blanc Regional Forecasts may be found here.

--Webcams for Chamonix Valley, Zermatt and the Matterhorn.

ALASKA RANGE:

--The American Alpine Institute is now accepting applications for the 2010 climbing season. Please call our office at 360-671-1505 for more information.

--Forecast for Denali.


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