/out/ - Outdoors » Thread #225235

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Anonymous Fri 15 Nov 2013 00:25:11 No.225235 View View Reply Original Report

Probably a stupid question /out/ but...

Is it possible to hike up a mountain far enough to reach the snow? Talking not in a snowy area; at the bottom of the mountain, everything is still green, but as you reach the top of the mountain, it becomes snowy/icy (picture as an example). Is there anywhere where you can hike such a distance, or is that such an elevation that it actually requires mountain climbing?

Anonymous

Anonymous Fri 15 Nov 2013 01:00:50 No.225242 Report

Quoted By: >>225451

Depends on the mountain, and depends on the season and thus the height of the snow.

For the most interesting mountains, it quickly steps into moutain climbing territory. The only ones I can think of where it's relatively easy, and where I've been, are some summits in the Himalaya and Atlas ranges.

But then you can easily hike up to all ski resorts in the world where you can, obviously, find snow.

Anonymous

Anonymous Fri 15 Nov 2013 02:28:42 No.225253 Report

Quoted By: >>225451

Think logically, anon. That area probably is all snow covered even at the base during winter. It's only snowy on top during the summer. Just go in between when the snow comes further down, but not all the way down.

For a specific mountain, try Mount Hood in Oregon. Skiing and hiking up the Palmer glacier/snowfield all summer (with a chairlift running), and you can drive up to the Timberline lodge, which is about where the snow starts during summer (and is also where the bottom of the chairlift is). And if it's driveable of course it's hikeable.

Anonymous

Anonymous Fri 15 Nov 2013 03:45:51 No.225277 Report

Quoted By:

What is every mountain in a temperate climate during spring and fall, Alex.

Also your question is confused and roundly nonsensical.

Anonymous

Anonymous Fri 15 Nov 2013 03:47:04 No.225279 Report

Quoted By: >>225290

>>225235

At what elevation does hiking become mountain climbing?

Anonymous

Anonymous Fri 15 Nov 2013 04:12:04 No.225290 Report

Quoted By: >>225297

>>225279
there is no defined altitude that defines it.

mountain climbing is just that; climbing a mountain, whatever that mountain might be. Some are harder than others, and some elitists will tell you that it's not mountain climbing unless you're doing vertical roped climbing.

Those guys can suck a dick though.

Anonymous

Anonymous Fri 15 Nov 2013 04:56:19 No.225297 Report

Quoted By: >>225339 >>225388

>>225290

Bless you for obstinately refusing to recognize derisive sarcasm.

Anonymous

Anonymous Fri 15 Nov 2013 05:03:06 No.225300 Report

Quoted By: >>225318 >>225451

With most bigger mountains, there's a certain elevation (called tree line) where most of the bigger vegetation stops growing. In the Western US, it's about 11,0000 feet or so. Above this level you get some alpine tundra and lots of rocks. As for snow, this depends a lot on the climate and what side of the mountain you're on. Most ski areas tend to be on the north face of mountains because the snow lasts longer there. And as for mountain climbing, there's different levels. I do a bit of what we call rock scrambling but have never used ropes. It's rare that you need them unless you're going up some badass route or climbing in the winter.

Anonymous

Anonymous Fri 15 Nov 2013 06:07:11 No.225318 Report

Quoted By: >>225451

>>225300

It should be noted that the tree line is caused in large part by the presence of lingering snow, and by dehydration via wind during the brief period when snow is afk. At least in temperate areas. Thus the elevation varies greatly based on precipitation and temperature (you're getting wind whether you like it or not).

The northern Cascades in North America receive a great deal of precipitation, much of it in the form of snow. However, the climate is pretty moderate with dry summers, which gives the snow a chance to melt out right up to the tops of all but the tallest mountains, so there is a growing season. It's just three or four months long; too short for trees, even though there's plenty of water. Trees give way to parklands at like 4500 feet in many places, and even the heather and hardy little wildflowers give up shortly after that.

On the windward (east) side of the crest precipitation is greatly diminished due to the rain shadow effect, so instead of snow bitchslapping tree growth, it's a lack of water. The treeline creeps lower still.

I forget why I started typing this.

Anonymous

View Same Google ImgOps iqdb SauceNAO IMG_1128.jpg, 2MiB, 3648x2736

Anonymous Fri 15 Nov 2013 06:12:40 No.225319 Report

Quoted By: >>225451

The mountain in OP's picture is Mount Taranaki in New Zealand. A couple years ago I hiked to the top in a day, it only took about 8 hours round trip it's about 1KM vertical. Pic related it's me on the top in the crater.

Anonymous

Anonymous Fri 15 Nov 2013 08:10:32 No.225339 Report

Quoted By: >>225388

>>225297
I don't think it was obstinacy, I think it was incompetence.

Anonymous

View Same Google ImgOps iqdb SauceNAO 1328712988808.jpg, 36KiB, 240x292

Anonymous Fri 15 Nov 2013 11:32:55 No.225362 Report

Quoted By:

>Is it possible to hike up a mountain far enough to reach the snow?
Huh? Of course. It's even possible to hike up a mountain far enough to reach the peak!

Anonymous

Anonymous Fri 15 Nov 2013 14:22:28 No.225388 Report

Quoted By:

>>225297
>>225339
I'm wut-ing pretty hard right now.
all of my confused.

Anonymous

Anonymous Fri 15 Nov 2013 15:15:53 No.225404 Report

Quoted By:

>>225235

Yes, OP... yes...

Anonymous

Anonymous Fri 15 Nov 2013 15:53:31 No.225430 Report

Quoted By:

>>225235
yeah.

my dad started up bad luck mountain in NY once, he was on a hill side walking cross ways and slid, almost deaded and also lost his water bottle

he's never attempted to go up since

Anonymous

Anonymous Fri 15 Nov 2013 16:02:44 No.225436 Report

Quoted By:

It starts to get very rocky halfway up even tiny mountains. You find you're climbing over boulders the size of houses and there are 100 ft drops behind you.

Anonymous

Anonymous Fri 15 Nov 2013 16:44:27 No.225451 Report

Quoted By: >>225497 >>225499

>>225242
>>225253
>>225300
>>225318
>>225319

Thanks guys.

Sorry, I realize the question was poorly worded. I'm well aware you can go to the peak of a mountain, I've done it. The main thing I wanted to know was can you HIKE to the point of the snow line, or whether you would need special equipment/skills. I'm wanting to plan a camping trip with a multi-day hike, and I would really like to spend a day or two going through a (green) forest and then making my way up a mountain to the point of snow.

>>225253
Have you been up Mt Hood? Is there camping in the area?

Anonymous

Anonymous Fri 15 Nov 2013 17:59:01 No.225497 Report

Quoted By:

>>225451

Of course you can...just...Yes. Yes of course you can do that. Just look at that OP pic of the mountain. What do you think other mountains are? A shallow tree covered slope that suddenly turns into a huge rocky cliff covered in treacherous snow?

Not trying to be rude at all, but hell, 90% of climbing Mt. Everest is technically "Hiking", or slightly steeper walking. There is only one mountain in Scotland that actually requires ropes to get to the summit (and that's fairly easy).

Anonymous

Anonymous Fri 15 Nov 2013 18:02:18 No.225499 Report

Quoted By:

>>225451
That depends entirely on the specific mountain you're going to go. Look at the topographic map you bought, check out current snow line look if a trail you can hike leads up there.

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