NORTHWEST:
--Did you get your vitamin D last weekend? We did. A few shots of the Baker backcountry:
Program Coordinator Katy Pfannenstein making some sweet turns:
The Bakerhorn.
Photo credit Jason Martin.
--This party did a pretty long tour last week, Chair Peak to Slot Couloir. Click here.
The top of the Slot is in pre-mogul condition, but nice there's nice powder down lower.
Photo credit Kurt Fickeisen.
--This Chair Peak video was also from last weekend. Note the bad examples of what NOT to do at the end. =)
-- Check out this slew of ski touring trip reports for last weekend; almost everywhere is the Cascades was epic.
--Report from West Coast Ice, BC: "Drove up the Duffey Lake Road yesterday and climbed Carl’s Berg. The route is in great shape, with the first half being featured WI5 with good pro, and the second half being less steep (WI4 ish), but tricky to find gear in places. Overall an excellent route in excellent conditions and it should stick around for all week!" Click here for more info.
--Forecast for the West Slope of the Cascades.
--Forecast for the East Slope of the Cascades.
--Webcam for Leavenworth and the Stuart Range.
--Forecast for Mount Rainier.
-- Route and Conditions Report from Mt. Baker Rangers: Mount Baker Climbing Blog.
--Forest Service Road Report for Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest.
--Mount Saint Helens, Mount Adams conditions and recreation report.
--Webcams for Mount Rainier National Park, North Cascades National Park, Leavenworth.
--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.
RED ROCK CANYON:
--Forecast and average temperatures for Red Rock Canyon.
--Webcam for Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area.
--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.
JOSHUA TREE:
--Forecast and average temperatures for Joshua Tree National Park.
--Webcam for Joshua Tree National Park.
-- As winter use in Joshua Tree is growing, camping can be difficult at times. It is not a bad idea to come with a back-up plan if the park campgrounds are full. Here are the NPS Campground Details. Some people like to stay at the rural campground often referred to as "The Pit." And lastly, there is a campground available at Joshua Tree Lake.
--The Joshua Tree entrance fee is currently $15 per vehicle. Your receipt will give you access to the park for seven days after its initial purchase. Rangers check this receipt at each of the major access points going in and out. Annual passes are available for $30.
SIERRA:
-- Click here for Eastern Sierra and Tahoe ski conditions. "Deepest and lightest powder I've ever skied in 22 years of living here, had the last 4 days off and have skied everyday, lucky me".
--AAI Ian McEleney reports from Lee Vining: As of February 20th the ice is in and fat. Chouinard Falls and The Main Falls are in great shape. Even The Bard Harrington Wall is looking thick. Recent snow has covered up some of the anchors and added a little wallowing to the starts of the routes. Snowshoes are recommended.
For the photos, 6776 is The Main Falls and Choiunard Falls. You can see a climber on The Main Falls. 6777 is The Bard Harrington Wall:
For the photos, 6776 is The Main Falls and Choiunard Falls. You can see a climber on The Main Falls. 6777 is The Bard Harrington Wall:
Photo Credit Ian McEleney
-- Info for the 2011 Whitney area permit lottery can be found here. Lottery drawings start February 16th.
--For up-to-date avalanche and weather reports in the Eastern Sierra, click here. Avy conditions are still considerable in some areas.
--Webcams for Bishop, June Lake, Mammoth Mountain, Mono Lake, Tioga Pass.
--Permits to hike to the top of Half Dome are now required seven days per week when the cables are up. This is an interim measure to increase safety along the cables while the park develops a long-term plan to manage use on the Half Dome Trail. A maximum of 400 permits will be issued each of these days (300 of these permits are available to day hikers). To read more, click here.
ALASKA RANGE:
--Conditions in the range are not currently available. But we are taking reservations for both Alaska Range Ascents and Denali trips. To learn more, click here. We will begin regular conditions reports in the Alaska Range in late April.
ALPS:
--Chamonix and Mont Blanc Regional Forecasts may be found here.
--Webcams for Chamonix Valley, Zermatt and the Matterhorn.