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Hello,

So I was hoping to get some opinions on the outlook for the early spring weather in the Red. I was planning on coming from Colorado at the beginning of March, but every time I check the weather it looks quite bad and it is hard to believe that it could be pleasant for climbing and camping in a few weeks. Also, it seems like the region is getting pounded by an ice storm every other week and at this rate winter will go through March. Anyways, anyone who has a little more experience with winter/spring in the Southeast care to help out? I would rather not drive across the country to freeze if this seemingly crazy winter is supposed to continue.

Thanks!

Early march is horrible here. Do not try it

Okay, I have lived in Kentucky and Colorado both. I am an expert on this subject. Take my word on it.

March in Kentucky is likely to be damp but not cold. The temps we're experiencing now (in February) are more akin to normal Colorado than normal Kentucky for this time of year. This is NOT NORMAL for Kentucky. Usually right now it would be 40F and freezing rain. There would be mud all over my house from tracking it in from the driveway. But as it is, lo, this Year of Our Lord 2014, it's like someone moved from Colorado and brought winter with them.

I've gotten some flack for this, but I lived here all last winter and it was mild. You eastern people outta be pointing your frostbitten fingers elsewhere. I am not the culprit.

I can say it was exquisite to get to cross country ski in my backyard a few weeks ago. So suck on that all you people who keep whining about how cold it is in Kentucky! This is nothing. The first year I was in Colorado I went to work on a day when the windchill was -35F. Yeah, that's 67 degrees below freezing! The first week I was in Colorado it snowed two feet overnight and nothing closed. Nothing. In Kentucky someone overhears someone else whisper the word snow in the grocery store and the run on milk, eggs, and bread begins and half the state is shut down afterward. Except everyone gets out and drives around in it anyway. The bus drivers are all running around in their pickup trucks but they couldn't manage to drag my kids to school? There's something messed up about that.

Anyway, you should be fine Mr (or Mrs?) Punter. March is a fine time to visit the RRG. Unless we've got flooding.

You could very well be fine. I have climbed at the Red last weekend of Feb/1st weekend of March in a tank top.

You could also be completely screwed. I have seen Spring Break being messed up (mid- to late-March) with snow on the ground.

Bottom line is, if that is your only choice for vacation time, and you absolutely don't want to go anywhere else, you will be probably fine at the Red, especially if you have 1 week or more. There's got to be good climbing weather at some point during one week window. But if you can go somewhere more sunny/dry this time of the year (Smith Rock? Red Rocks? CA? Southern Utah?) go there. Or, postpone the trip to the Red by couple weeks. Might still get screwed, but less likely.

Thanks for the advice guys! I appreciate it. I am tempted to roll the dice and head out east (the sandstone is calling me!) early March. If things don't pan out with the weather I can try to head south to the Obed for a bit (I am hoping since it appears to be lower and south it should be warmer!)

As everyone said, spring is completely variable. A few years ago we spent spring break in RRG, drove in with 8 inches of snow on the ground, and by the end of the week we were wearing T-shirts. Very unpredictable. The Obed is likely to have pretty similar weather, although it might be a bit more likely to get rain instead of snow.

If you are willing to travel around, that makes things easier. Obed is definitely an option if the weather at the Red gets too crappy. That's what we did last year, when the weather at the Red turned to snow at the end of March. Obed was only slightly warmer, but the roofs there really protect the walls, and we had no problem climbing on south-facing walls, even though it snowed intermittently. And then we went back to the Red for nice climbing weather. Some friends escaped as far as Chattanooga that weekend (Stone fort/Rocktown). Not that big a drive from the red, if you know that the weather is going to be crappy for 2-3 days.

Weather has been soooo $%&* up this year...I'm 420 miles north , and had a day of 50mph winds, 50 temps, 2 inches of rain, on top of our 18 inch snowpack. Down in KY this current weekend, I'm hearing it is nice in low 70's Sat-Sunday!! last year at RRR in late March it was freezing nights, and cold damp days in low 40's..not exactly great weather. I'm shooting for a mid April this year for first visit,,,,the week before a nice late April 20th Easter insures some nice weather. Dont' forget that snow melt and heavy spring rains can also mess up the back roads for access too. Your choice.