Ascending firm snow, West Ridge of Windom Peak

Climbing toward the steep snow and ice gullies of the upper West Ridge of Windom Peak, June 6, 1987. We followed snowfields just left of the ridge crest to an intersection with the north ridge very near the summit. In the early morning, the snow was perfect for crampons and axe, then softened enough for really solid plunge-stepping unroped on the descent. The exposure on the steepest upper parts of the ridge was a bit nerve-wracking going down!