Light to moderate snow is falling in the mountains of Utah, Wyoming, and Colorado. I’m forecasting minor snow amounts except for a couple isolated locations in Colorado’s Northern Mountains like Cameron Pass. I’m forecasting a few inches of accumulation in Utah’s Wasatch and Wyoming’s Teton Range. In Colorado, light to moderate accumulation is likely in […]
Category: Hiking/Mountaineering
Saturday update 10/30
I enjoyed a sunny morning workout in the Foothills of Colorado. Look at that view! Wind was noticeable but it’s stronger in the high mountains above treeline 25-50mph thanks to an approaching cold front. We saw our first skier caught and carried by a small avalanche on Loveland Pass on Friday 10/29/2021. Wind loading has […]
Mountain Weather update 10/28
The next storm system is moving into the Pacific Northwest. It then hits the Intermountain West between Saturday and Monday. It appears minor for most ski areas. There is a second storm storm system behind the first one. It moves into California on November 1 and then spreads snow into the interior Rockies thereafter. It […]
Guest Post: Skiing and climbing on Broad Peak, Pakistan June 14-August 7, 2021
This guest post was written by Sarah Strattan. This past summer I ventured to the Karakoram mountains in northern Pakistan, which many argue to be the steepest and most rugged mountains on Earth. My goal was to be the first woman to ski from the summit of Broad Peak, the 12th highest mountain in the […]
A-Basin starts making snow; More in the forecast this week CO, UT, WY, MT
Stellar crystal sight this morning with A-Basin making snow. The ingredients all came together with a few inches of new natural snow and colder temps in the teens and 20s. I’m forecasting a good week ahead for the intermountain West including Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Idaho, and Montana. A stronger, colder front will drive through Tuesday-Thursday […]
Snow hits CO, UT, WY
Just like that October moves the atmosphere towards winter. The first of two cold fronts delivers snow. Air temps on Loveland and Berthoud Passes will drop through the 20s for the rest of the weekend. Wind gusts by lunch should clock 50mph. A second cold front next week looks stronger and colder.
Mountain weather update 10/7: two snow chances ahead
Two cold fronts are lined up for Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, and Montana. 1st front: Friday-Sunday in Colorado (snow level 10k) 2nd front: Monday-Wednesday in Colorado (snow level 7k) Full Forecast Video for this analysis: Pressures drop and the jet stream buckles across the West. This sets the stage for colder temperatures and organized snowfall at […]
Snow possible in Colorado’s mountains this weekend and next week
A dip in the jet stream could bring snow to Colorado’s mountains this weekend and next week (10/9-10/15). Amounts this weekend appear on the lighter side, but next week they could be a touch higher. This more active pattern would also benefit the higher mountains of Wyoming, Utah, Montana, British Columbia, and Alberta. Here’s a […]
Capitol Peak snow; Is it termination dust?
Snow now covers Capitol Peak and the Elks. Will this end the climbing season for most Summer climbers? The Alaskan phrase for this phenomena is “Termination Dust”. I suspect the answer comes down to how much risk climbers are willing to shoulder. Other peaks that are less technical like Quandary (“walk-ups”) will continue to be […]
Manaslu summit push
Most teams on Manaslu (8163m/26,781′) will push for the summit next week. This includes my good friend (and client) Ryan Kushner and teammate Jeff Heiderer. Colin Miller was also part of the team but had to leave early for health reasons. Jeff was with Ryan on G2 in 2019. Ryan shot this stunning video after […]