Winds Conditions 2015

[Artemus]

A thread for the current conditions in the Wind Rivers as we prepare to walk.

I spoke to the Pinedale forest service employee at the office. She was somewhat shaky in her assessment but she said the FS road to Big Sandy opening (lodge, campground, trailhead) was open and drivable. Well, at first said it probably was then upon being pressed she said that it was. Same was said for the Sweetwater Gap trailhead. When I asked if she did not have people out in the field working she said "no, people are just coming on board and getting organized." Geesh.

When asked how far above the Big Sandy trailhead the trail was free of snow she said "you probably could get 3 or 4 miles up the trail but she didn't know".

Soon, all. Soon.

 

[Aldaron]

I'm less than two months out. Gettin' stoked.

 

[Blake Merrell]

Ahhhhhhh! August can get here soon enough!

 

[Artemus]

I'm less than two months out. Gettin' stoked.

Do tell!

 

[slc_dan]

We going to take ropes this year @langutah?

 

[Aldaron]

Do tell!

Fly out on July 31st for two weeks in the Winds. I'm doing 6 days with several family members and then a few days solo. I still haven't fully decided what to do on the solo portion, but I'm going to try my hand at playing it by ear...I have a nasty tendency of over-planning.

When are you headed up there?

 

[LarryBoy]

Mid-August trip-of-a-lifetime is in the works! Traversing the range from south to north, significant stretches of off-trail travel, perhaps some glacier travel, and a 13'er or two! Can't wait!

 

[isleroyaleguy]

Last week in August for us. Followed by a week along the Teton Crest. Already in training or should I say always in training.
Can't wait.
Cheers
IRG

 

[Artemus]

We going to take ropes this year @langutah?

If you carry them.

 

[slc_dan]

If you carry them.

DONE! I'll even bring my monster 85liter pack out of retirement.

 

[Artemus]

DONE! I'll even bring my monster 85liter pack out of retirement.

We are going! The Duke Ellington Route on Ellingwood? Steeple tower between Haystack and East Temple? Shark's Nose? Fred Becky's obscure route above Stillwater Gap?

 

[slc_dan]

We are going! The Duke Ellington Route on Ellingwood? Steeple tower between Haystack and East Temple? Shark's Nose? Fred Becky's obscure route above Stillwater Gap?

YES!

I did love the look of the East Temple as we saw it from a distance. I'll rope mule anywhere though, I like the sound of obscure.

 

[Artemus]

OK, nobody with a current conditions report? Skeets? Heading to Sweetwater Gap this weekend. Looking for love, i mean info, in all the wrong places.... @Aldaron, you stopping by for a beer on the way from the airport to your trailhead in August?

 

[Aldaron]

.... @Aldaron, you stopping by for a beer on the way from the airport to your trailhead in August?

I'd love to get together! It'll probably have to be a post-trip beer, but that would be more interesting, anyway!

 

[Artemus]

OK, who's been out there? Two trips in two weekends to the Southern Windies. One trip report: http://backcountrypost.com/threads/sweetwater-gap-walkabout-wind-rivers.4912/ Monsoon has started. Bugs are moderate and the mountains are BEE-U-TEE-FUL!

Anyone been to Titcomb or further north this year?

 

[lostlandscapes]

OK, who's been out there? Two trips in two weekends to the Southern Windies. One trip report: http://backcountrypost.com/threads/sweetwater-gap-walkabout-wind-rivers.4912/ Monsoon has started. Bugs are moderate and the mountains are BEE-U-TEE-FUL!

Anyone been to Titcomb or further north this year?

Heading up Titcomb way in a few days here. Prepared for exaltation.

 

[Nick]

Also headed there in a few days. I'll be yakpacking in Green River Lakes.

 

[Aldaron]

I'm still two weeks out. Working on the grocery shopping list as we speak.

 

[Artemus]

I'm still two weeks out. Working on the grocery shopping list as we speak.

Keith, send me a date when you might want to get together.

 

[Artemus]

Nice @lostlandscapes and @Nick ! The weather may be supercharged with monsoon off and on for a while but the skies have been ecstatic. Had a little bit of graupel, sleet and hail at 10K feet but all the weather lasted only minutes literally with sun in between. Looking forward to hearing all about Titcomb and the GRL portage.