SummitPost.org

What is the crevasse risk on Gannett glaciers? I know the glaciers in that area such as Dinwoody and Gooseneck aren't massive and aren't making dramatic turns and dips which causes greater fissures to develop. Is the primary obstacle the snow bridge crossing the bergshrund for the Gooseneck couloir route? I'm planning a trip in July and am weighing how many people to take, gear, logistics, and overall skillset of the people going. From what I've seen, most crevasses there are fairly narrow and identifiable, but I don't want to take a casual approach to it.

Thanks!

Thanks for the info! That was what I suspected but it definitely never hurts to ask! I'm planning on early-mid July so the snow bridge should still be in decent shape provided the snowfall was adequate.

I know someone who fell in a crevasse crossing from Bonney. I don't think it's ever a good assumption that there will be no crevasses on ANY glacier. And when we did it, we could see crevasses. That said, we did it without a rope.
Also note that from Titcomb Basin, you really won't see the upper route very well until you are there. And when we went, the bergie was almost 100% closed.
TR with pics:
http://www.splattski.com/2010/gannett/index.html

I agree with Splatski, we did see crevasses coming from Bonney Pass, some large enough they couldn't be easily jumped. We opted to be overly-cautious and roped up. Only crossed 2 substantial snowbridges, one over the berg and one lower down.

I'm definitely assuming there are crevasses. I was more trying to find out the extent and navigating difficulty. Thanks!

I was with Splattski and prior to going we were kind of back-and-forth about carrying a rope and gear for the climb. A friend of ours told us about falling in a crevasse while crossing (unroped) only to be saved by his pack. He got wedged into the mouth of the crevasse and managed to get out okay. Makes one think a bit (or at least it should). After spending a bit of time studying late summer photos of the glaciers here on SP, we opted to not take a rope or anchors. We knew from the photos where the compression zones were, we were going in the "early" season, and we'd be doing some of the crossing on snowshoes which are less likely to punch through a bridge. Without those three things in our favor, I would have carried my 8mm, 30m rope and a few anchors. As it turned out we had no problems but the hair still raises on my back every time I cross a glacier unroped.

Bob

I read from several sources that the crevasse risk on Gannett is very low. We brought a glacier rope with us when I was there but only planned to use it if the bergshrund was open.

Alarmingly, I punched through a snow bridge with one leg somewhere below Gooseneck Pinnacle, about where that group is in the above photo. I was NOT roped at the time so I rolled out of that position rather quickly. I glanced down the hole after I pulled my leg out but it was too dark to know if it was 5ft or 50ft deep.

The bergshrund was half collapsed but we were able to make it across without roping up.

We hiked across the glacier without a rope. It was hard pack with little streams of water running down it. (the water was delicious) I have a photo posted if you are curious. We hiked during the 1st wknd of August. The bergshrund was collapsed and we could not cross. I do remember that I punched through at one point and went in up to my thigh, before I gingerly pulled out my leg. But that occurred right when I was about to step up onto a rock, off from the glacier. So, the snow was thin.

Have fun on Bonny pass... !!!!

WyomingSummits wrote:What is the crevasse risk on Gannett glaciers? I know the glaciers in that area such as Dinwoody and Gooseneck aren't massive and aren't making dramatic turns and dips which causes greater fissures to develop. Is the primary obstacle the snow bridge crossing the bergshrund for the Gooseneck couloir route? I'm planning a trip in July and am weighing how many people to take, gear, logistics, and overall skillset of the people going. From what I've seen, most crevasses there are fairly narrow and identifiable, but I don't want to take a casual approach to it.

Thanks!

What way are you going in? I was there in early september, of 2006, via Titcomb basin, the winter snows where gone, and I was able to see just how many crevasses there are on Dinwoody glacier. (There were many!) most are small, but you could still get stuck in one, if you are not roped. In July, most if not all are still covered, and I have crossed Dinwoody, without a rope, which is somewhat risky because they are hidden. That being said, I would probably go roped, with a big group of people. Ice ax and crampons are a must for Bonney pass if you go that way? If your coming in from the Glacier trail, side there is much less glacier travel, and, you may want to have a rope, just for crossing the shrund.

I am looking for a partner to do Gannett (see my previous separate post). I was planning on going sometime this summer but really open as to when. I think it would be better in perhaps June than July. But again, I am open. I have a good deal of alpine experience. I was just hoping to find someone who knows the area.

Don't think I could swing June. I have Tetons, Yellowstone, and Devils Tower already booked for June. Tetons again in late July-early August. Planning tentatively for Gannett in Mid July. Remote stuff in the Bighorns in late August. Maybe Granite peak in Sept......gonna be a busy summer.