Conditions Report -- October 1, 2008

NORTHWEST:

--Forecast for the West Slope of the Cascades.

--Forecast for the East Slope of the Cascades.

--Forecast for Mount Rainier.

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

--A bee's nest has been reported at Exit 38 near Endless Bliss at the Gunshow Wall. Take appropriate precautions while climbing there. To read more, click here.

--The Cascade River Road will be closed at Milepost 20 (Eldorado Creek) for the remainder of the season. NPS is working to make road repairs beyond that point. Hikers and climbers may still access Boston Basin and Cascade Pass on foot.

--After a stint of less-than-stellar weather, the weekend rolled out perfect climbing conditions throughout the state. Climbers rushed to the mountains hoping that this wouldn't be the last good high pressure system of the summer, but suspecting that it might be. This team traversed Lundin peak near Snoqualmie Pass. This team scrambled up Columbia Peak. And this team climbed Kloochman Rock.

--New snow last week provided a little bit of a cushion up high on the icy detritus that is the late summer snowpack. A party skied the Coleman/Deming Glacier on Mount Baker. And another party found skiable snow on the other side of the mountain on the Ptarmigan Ridge.

RED ROCK CANYON:

-- The climbing season in Red Rock Canyon has officially started! People are definitely getting after it on the shady aspects of the canyon!

--Forecast and average temperatures for Red Rock Canyon.

A climber sends the Good Boy Scout (5.10b) in the shady Sandy Corridor.

--A party rappelled the Solar Slab Gully this week and encountered a large amount of bees. Many opt to rappel Johnny Vegas instead, but this can be a serious rope catcher. Don't skip anchors if you elect to rappel Johnny Vegas. There are reports of bee hives at the base of Beulah's Book and on Olive Oil. Keep your eyes open, the bees in that area are killer bees!

SIERRA:

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

--Here is a nice photo heavy report from a trip to Yosemite. And here is a nice hike that a party took in the Sierra in August.

ALPS:

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

ALASKA RANGE:

--Forecast for Denali

Climbers nearing the summit of Denali.

--The Alaska season is over until April of 2009, but we are already in the process of gearing up for it. We are now accepting applications for our 2009 Denali expeditions.

CLIMBING MAGAZINE WEATHER:

Climbing Magazine weather reports for Yosemite, Denali and Rainier may be found here.