Conditions Report - May 19 2010

NORTHWEST:

Photo Credit Amar Andalkar. www.skimountaineer.com

--Imagine skiing on a slope of mini-corn kernels... A "corn snow and conga line" trip report for Rainier can be found here with lots of details about the forecast and excellent links to various ski reports earlier in the week. This skier even talks about the solar halos! Awesome!


Exfoliation Dome, Darrington, WA. Photo Credit Bryan Hawkins.

--Finally! A Darrington trip report!Looks like they bailed due to dark approaching rain clouds. See here.

--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.

--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.

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 Dena
li.

--AAI Guide Forest McBrian reports from Denali on Thursday, May 13:"
Yesterday we put a cache up at 15,200 ft. The cache is at top of our fixed lines. The lines up the headwall are on solid blue ice, though. " For the most current updates on Alaska, please see our Dispatch Blog.

SIERRA:


-- A trip report by supertopo's Chris McNamara for Gold Wall in Yosemite can be found here. Looks like a beautiful climb.

--"Awesome snow and bright sun!" For a recent ski ascent for the Eastern Sierra, click here.

-- A Tioga road plowing report can be found here.

-- Mt. Whitney lottery info can be found here.

--For up-to-date avalanche and weather reports in the Eastern Sierra, click here.
--Webcams for Bishop, June Lake, Mammoth Mountain, Mono Lake, Tioga Pass.



ALPS:


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

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



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:

--
"Welcome" it whispers......."Welcome to the Desert." A very detailed and interesting report for JTree, earlier this month, can be found here.

-- Certain areas of J Tree are closed due to Raptor nesting season. Check out Friends of Joshua Tree for more information.

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

--Webcam for Joshua Tree National Park.