Descending the Mountaineer's Route in Early June
Posted: Tue May 08, 2012 4:56 pm
Assuming this low-snow year continues without and big storms between now and the weekend of June 8, me and my partner will be climbing the East Buttress and descending the mountaineer's route. Neither of us have been on the mountaineer's route.
From what I've read, I should have crampons and an ice axe. I've also read that the top can be fourth-class icy rock in early june. My questions:
Could we get away with microspikes and ice axes if we rap the top of the mountaineer's route? To be honest, I don't think either of us are up for downclimbing icy fourth-class rock.
It sounds like the glissade in the lower half of the mountaineers route is pretty casual. Any chance I could get away with a trekking pole or flat rock on that?
Thanks in advance for your input.
Chris
From what I've read, I should have crampons and an ice axe. I've also read that the top can be fourth-class icy rock in early june. My questions:
Could we get away with microspikes and ice axes if we rap the top of the mountaineer's route? To be honest, I don't think either of us are up for downclimbing icy fourth-class rock.
It sounds like the glissade in the lower half of the mountaineers route is pretty casual. Any chance I could get away with a trekking pole or flat rock on that?
Thanks in advance for your input.
Chris