any info on access (snowpack, melt-water, etc.) to Charlotte Dome and Royal Arches (Yosemite) during the period of mid-May would be appreciated. Are routes normally possible in mid-May?

-- Phil Watts (pwatts@nmu.edu), March 16, 1998

Answers

I don't know about snowmelt etc., but mid May is prime time climbing in Yosemite.

-- Ronnie Miller (dylan-miller@juno.com), March 17, 1998.

Charlotte Dome, no chance. The climb itself might be dry but the approach will be snowed in, certainly this year in May.

May is prime climbing time in Yosemite, however there is a small waterfall that goes down near the Royal Arches route in the spring. I did RA in June after a tremendous snowpack year 82-83, and this waterfall was still going. The climb was still doable bacause the only place the water affected the climb was that you had to cross it after the pendulum pitch, but fortunately the terrain was easy where you crossed.

-George

-- George Bell (bell@advtech.uswest.com), March 19, 1998.