Mountaineering AZ, NM, NV

[VolcanoCLMBR]

Hey fellow hikers!! Im starting this thread so gather some information about who likes to do some serious winter climbing/mountaineering with crampons/ice axe etc. I already have some of my equipment ready for the upcoming season. My training regimen has already begun. I am looking to climb Humphreys Peak, Mt. Charleston and maybe others during the winter months on snow/ice covered peaks as part of my training to climb Pico de Orizaba volcano (18,500 feet) in Mexico hopefully next march/april.
If i can get a show of hands of people that may be interested in doing some future winter climbing please reply and we can plan a few trips in the months ahead!
Frank (VolcanoCLMBR)

Happy hiking!

[Jim]

If you're planning on going to Mexico, you should watch the snow levels and do something like Whitney in late Winter or early Spring, if the snow is good. Humphrey isn't really a crampon summit unless conditions are just right. Never done anything in the Spring Mountains, but my guess is they are a better bet than Humphrey, which is predominantly good for snowshoes. You can also consult Summitpost, but my Colorado December-January experience has been that the snow is thin until later winter or spring, and very powdery. They must like to ski for a reason. Unless pursuing ski mountaineering, you'll want a heavier, wetter snow for climbing. That changes with warmer days as the sun elevation rises, but with your Mexico plan, you'll not really be around to take advantage.

[SpiderLegs]

Have some mountaineering experience, just moved back to Phoenix after a 5 year stint in Idaho. Spent most of the spring and summer climbing and hiking mountain peaks around Boise or Sun Valley. Buying crampons and other winter climbing gear was the next thing on my list. From talking to my climbing partners some of the ranges in Idaho are easier to climb in the snow than trying to pick your way through endless miles of talus once it warms up.

If you have any summer/fall mountaineering hikes planned let me know, I'm looking for someone to team up with.

[VolcanoCLMBR]

If you're planning on going to Mexico, you should watch the snow levels and do something like Whitney in late Winter or early Spring, if the snow is good. Humphrey isn't really a crampon summit unless conditions are just right. Never done anything in the Spring Mountains, but my guess is they are a better bet than Humphrey, which is predominantly good for snowshoes. You can also consult Summitpost, but my Colorado December-January experience has been that the snow is thin until later winter or spring, and very powdery. They must like to ski for a reason. Unless pursuing ski mountaineering, you'll want a heavier, wetter snow for climbing. That changes with warmer days as the sun elevation rises, but with your Mexico plan, you'll not really be around to take advantage.

Hi Jim, thanks for your insight on Humphreys peak, now im just hoping theres enough snowfall this winter in Flagstaff. From what ive seen the spring mtns. do get a lot more snowfall than Humphreys peak. And yes im particularly looking for heavier, wetter snow, i definitely want to make it down the mountain safely and skiing down while it sounds like fun ive never put on a pair of skis in my life and judging by how horrible i am at things that require keeping my balance combined with speed, i dont think i would make it down alive. lol

[VolcanoCLMBR]

Have some mountaineering experience, just moved back to Phoenix after a 5 year stint in Idaho. Spent most of the spring and summer climbing and hiking mountain peaks around Boise or Sun Valley. Buying crampons and other winter climbing gear was the next thing on my list. From talking to my climbing partners some of the ranges in Idaho are easier to climb in the snow than trying to pick your way through endless miles of talus once it warms up.

If you have any summer/fall mountaineering hikes planned let me know, I'm looking for someone to team up with.

Welcome back to AZ SpiderLegs! Im always looking to hike, climb, camp and whatever else kind of trouble i can get myself into and while i was never a fan of winter back in IL, i think i may be starting to miss a little bit of snow/ice here and there but only when its combined with some tough adventuring! Def. sign up for the events people here HAZ put up on the calendar, great way to meet other true adventurers!

[Jim]

Well, we'll see what happens for me, as well, but I am planning on Humphrey at least once this winter, provided the snow is good enough to make a trip worth while. Last winter was horrible, but the 2 before that were great. I'm hoping for some good snow by MLK weekend, and I'll will probably post a trip if I go.

[VolcanoCLMBR]

Lets hope this winter has enough snowfall otherwise ill have to make the trip to Mt Charleston in Vegas and hope theres snow cover there!