nartreb
Well-known member
Cardigan Mtn Rd in fine shape - no problem in a small front-wheel-drive car.
Park entrance road gated, room for ~5 cars by the gate.
West Ridge trail is always very icy in winter; the usual ice flows are already well-established. Not quite as thick as later in the season, but just as slippery. Poles and light traction very strongly recommended, though until you reach treeline it's possible to bare-boot if you take a lot of off-trail detours, and the ice patches are easy to see since there's essentially no snow.
What was unusual today is that the whole summit dome was thoroughly coated in glaze ice. If I'd brought full crampons, I'd have worn them. Another party turned back because their dogs were unable to make progress. We managed to reach the summit wearing only light traction, via a wandering route that linked patches of vegetation and patches of snow, and some blind faith. With the sun at your back, beware of crystal-clear knobbly ice that is totally indistinguishable from dry rock.
By the time we descended, the lower slabs had begun melting, so the summit may be dry within a few days, but for now the summit should be approached with caution. Do not attempt without traction or in poor visibility.
Park entrance road gated, room for ~5 cars by the gate.
West Ridge trail is always very icy in winter; the usual ice flows are already well-established. Not quite as thick as later in the season, but just as slippery. Poles and light traction very strongly recommended, though until you reach treeline it's possible to bare-boot if you take a lot of off-trail detours, and the ice patches are easy to see since there's essentially no snow.
What was unusual today is that the whole summit dome was thoroughly coated in glaze ice. If I'd brought full crampons, I'd have worn them. Another party turned back because their dogs were unable to make progress. We managed to reach the summit wearing only light traction, via a wandering route that linked patches of vegetation and patches of snow, and some blind faith. With the sun at your back, beware of crystal-clear knobbly ice that is totally indistinguishable from dry rock.
By the time we descended, the lower slabs had begun melting, so the summit may be dry within a few days, but for now the summit should be approached with caution. Do not attempt without traction or in poor visibility.
