Conditions Report - December 9, 2009

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.

--There are plans to change the fee structure for camping and climbing in Red Rock Canyon. To learn more about the proposed changes and to find out how you can help keep the fees as they currently are, please click here.

JOSHUA TREE:

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

--Webcam for Joshua Tree National Park.

NORTHWEST:

--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.

Big Four Mountain on Sunday
Photo by Jason Martin

Tom Sjolseth high on Big Four
Photo by Tim Halder

--Forecast for Mount Rainier.

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

--Mount Saint Helens, Mount Adams conditions and recreation report.


--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.

--High pressure in the Cascades over the last week has helped turn our early snow into hard neve in some parts of the range and powder in other parts of the range. Regardless of conditions, the Cascades have seen a lot of action over the past days. This party climbed the North Face of Big Four. This party put up a WI 2 and WI 3 first ascent in Leavenworth. AAI Guide Kevin Hogan and friends completed this cool first ascent in the Snoqualmie Pass area. Many parties have made ascents up Chair Peak and almost everybody found a mix of ice and powder snow.

Chair Peak on Monday
Photo by Alasdair Turner

A Climber on the Northeast Buttress of Chair Peak
Photo by Alasdair Turner

The Northeast Buttress of Chair climbs the weakness on the right-hand side.
Photo by Alasdair Turner

--Even though conditions are somewhat hard (as in frozen), many parties are getting out and skiing the backcountry. This party skied Jove Peak. This party went to Hidden Lakes Peak. And this party found dust on crust in Snoqualmie Pass.

SIERRA:

--Conditions in the Sierra are generally excellent in October and November for alpine ice climbing. Call our office to find out about guided ascents of classics like the U-Notch and V- Notch couloirs.

--For an update on road conditions in the Eastern Sierra region. Follow this link to read more.

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


ALPS:

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

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

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 Denali.