Humphrey on Saturday Jan-17-2009

[Jim]

Looking to do Humphrey again this Saturday Jan-17? You bet! Agassiz is really not great to climb since most of the snow is off the summit.

The weather in town should be in the low 50s, so it will be in the low 30s up on top. These are very mild conditions for January, especially when compared to 2008 and 2007 when it was much colder. Ah, last year, when we had more storms and deep snow on the ground with days that barely reached 40. This was the time of month during the last 2 January's that we were having our negative lows; -15 in 2007 and -8 last year. We only had one single digit low (7) since last month, and what happened to our snow?

I'm starting to get concerned that winter is petering out and snowbowl may close early. That might mean an end to winter climbing, and a return to drought conditions. I may be getting ahead of myself, but I feel guilty about this warmth.

Let me know if you want to climb H.

[corlukan]

Jhodlof
I live in Yuma but would love to come up for this one. I have done Humphrey's before (last August via inner basin), but always thought it would be more fun in the snow. In my part of the state we have no need for snow gear so if I were to head up for that climb, what would you recommend on gear basics. I am assuming snow shoes are a given, and obviously something warmer than my desert hiking clothes. Any kind of basic gear list you could suggest would be very beneficial. Don't mean to sound too much like an idiot, but don't want to be the Search and Rescue poster boy of the month.

Cory

[Davis2001r6]

Dang it, next weekend maybe, not this one for me though. I still need to get Humphrey's done in winter this year is my last chance for a long time. Agassiz would be a big plus too, but I wouldn't want to come down after dark.

Thanks for putting this up there, hope I can make one of them.

[Jim]

Snow shoes and a good dry all weather boot are the basic requirement. Gators are helpful and crampons are also good. I like a smart wool base layer on top and bottom. I use another non-cotton pant layer and 1 more synthetic top layer before my down parka. A hat with some face protection is good, and sunglasses or a face mask are also necessary. Glove, too. Never leather.

[chumley]

Looks like it's good-to-go! Snowbowl will be opening on Saturday, Dec. 20th, with 30-52 inches from this past storm. Also, the Snowbowl website lists some rules about accessing the peaks when Snowbowl is closed or after hours. I'm posting them here for anybody who comes across this thread in the future and doesn't know about it. Keep in mind that Snowbowl is in charge of clearing the road to the base of the ski area, and they don't plow on weekends when the ski area is not yet open.

BEFORE AND AFTER HOURS MOUNTAIN ACCESS RULES
This policy has been written and agreed to by the Coconino National Forest and the Arizona Snowbowl to provide safe winter access for backcountry skiers and snowboarders through the Arizona Snowbowl Special Use Permit area to the Kachina Peaks Wilderness. The Coconino National Forest and Arizona Snowbowl recognize the increase in popularity of backcountry skiing and snowboarding and that it is a legitimate use of National Forest lands. In order to ensure the safety of recreationists and Arizona Snowbowl employees, as well as proper ski area management, it is essential that rules of use be established and followed.

Potential safety issues within the ski area exist between uphill skiers and three major ski area slope maintenance operations. These are: general trail grooming, winch grooming, and avalanche control. Additionally, those who access the ski area outside of ski area during operating hours and/or without a trail and lift pass have sole responsibility for themselves and their actions. Therefore, the following rules have been established.

*Those skiers traveling within the ski area before or after ski area operating hours must maintain a minimum distance of 50 feet from any snowcat or other grooming machine.

*Those skiers traveling within the ski area before or after ski area operating hours are not allowed on any trail where winch grooming operations are taking place. Trails will be marked closed at the top and bottom when such operations are underway (36 CFR 261.53e).

* On avalanche control days no access is allowed in the upper bowl areas above Midway Catwalk until avalanche control is finished. Signs will be placed at the ski area entrance gate and at the bottom of Sundance trail at Midway indicating that avalanche control is underway and that the area is closed (36 CFR 261.53e). Upper mountain access will only be allowed via the midway catwalk, lift line or the south side trails (Southern Belle, Meadows, Ridge). Avalanche control and assessment days generally occur following six or more inches of snow and/or high wind events.

* During operating hours uphill access is only allowed to those traveling through the ski area and into the unpatrolled backcountry beyond. During operating hours uphill access is not allowed for those wishing to use only the ski area trails for downhill travel, as this is theft of services under State law. All uphill travelers do so at their own risk. All travelers using the ski area lands outside of ski area operating hours also do so at their own risk.

As always, those entering the Kachina Peaks Wilderness from Arizona Snowbowl or Snowbowl Road during winter operations must obtain a backcountry permit from the Coconino National Forest. Permits are available at the Peaks and Mormon Lake Ranger District offices and at the Agassiz Lodge on Saturday and Sunday mornings 9:00 - 11:30 AM. This permit is required for your safety and to raise awareness of the winter backcountry and avalanche dangers within the Kachina Peaks Wilderness.

[Jim]

As always, it was a good trip. I look to go again when a window in the weather opens up.

[Davis2001r6]

Great pics, hope to make a day of it soon. I can see why you wanted to be up there for sunset, still don't think I would want to come down in the dark. Did you go via the dutchman/plane crash way?

[Jim]

No, after dark I just went off of the west ridge of Agassiz and then down the ski runs. I think the snow cat operators saw my headlamp and were watching me come down the ridge. They kept shinning their lights onto the peak.

[Davis2001r6]

That actually sounds like a good idea, probably easier heading down the runs than going through the backcountry.

[Jim]

Just a bump to raise awareness about snow, and its potential street value. Oh yeah, hike H this Sat.

[chumley]

I'm starting to get concerned that winter is petering out and snowbowl may close early. That might mean an end to winter climbing, and a return to drought conditions. I may be getting ahead of myself, but I feel guilty about this warmth.

The whole west is in a terrible pattern right now with a dominating high-pressure system firmly planted in place. Looks like there's a chance it might break down a bit by the middle of next week. Seems typical of Arizona winters however. We need to get back into a pattern like we had around Christmas for a couple of weeks. Add another 4-5 feet to the snowpack above 9k. If that happens again in the next few weeks, and hopefully once more in late-Feb to mid-March sometime, we should end up with a killer winter. But I agree ... its looking a little scary right now.

[Jim]

Its been pretty dry for most of the west except the Pacific NW and the Northern Rockies area. That ridge that developed after December 27th has steered all the lows into OR and WA and then over into ID, MT, and WY and a CO, but CA, NV, NM, and AZ have been really dry. CO actually has been wet enough that they were taken out of any type of drought status west of the front range, and we are still OK since our snow situation is usually not that well developed, but the Sierras are basically at 50% of where they should be at this time of year. I hope we get a return to wet conditions in the next week or so, but in the mean time I do intend to enjoy these balmy conditions.