What defines a hard freeze?

FAQ and threads for those just starting to hike the Colorado 14ers.
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Been_Jammin
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Re: What defines a hard freeze?

Post by Been_Jammin »

Thanks ya'll. Solid discussion. The article WildernessJane posted is v interesting.
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lodgling
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Re: What defines a hard freeze?

Post by lodgling »

I think the lesson here you might take as to the Cross itself is that if you just want to climb it (not ski it) from the entrance partway up, then you can potentially wait a bit longer so that the shwack between the camp sites and the Bowl of Tears is completely melted out. It will be in as just a climb from the entrance for quite some time. And you don't need to rush to do it in the early summer season to take advantage of better overnight temperatures, because radiative cooling will continue to refreeze it on clear nights. However, the longer you wait, the more it will get runnelled by others who go get it sooner in the season, but climb it too late in the day.
Roca
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Re: What defines a hard freeze?

Post by Roca »

I'd go for it per what Lodgling says......if it's clear.

I'd also get a very early start, as in plan on topping out Couloir by 8 - 830. Any later and it'll be like Cotton says. It's really not a good place to get caught in even a small wet sluff.

Good luck.