NW Arete

An alternative approach for the NW Arete which minimizes bushwhacking. Cross the Merced River a few minutes downstream of Merced Lake. Open class 2 slabs lead up the hillside to the south. Once in the forest contour a long ways to the right to skirt the ridge which leads to Quartzite Peak. Once you're in the large horseshoe-shaped bowl below the north face of the peak, the route pictured here will be obvious.