North Couloir

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Geography

Parents

Routes

Thunderbolt to Sill Traverse

The Summit Block

Underhill Couloir, Right-Hand

Northeast Couloir

North Couloir

Southwest Chute number 1

East Face, Right Side

Northwest Ridge

North Couloir

Page Type: Route

Location: California, United States, North America

Lat/Lon: 37.09810°N / 118.5167°W

Route Type: Mountaineering, Ice Climbing

Season: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Time Required: A long day

Difficulty: Snow/Ice Class 4

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Page By: kovarpa

Created/Edited: Oct 15, 2005 / Apr 7, 2007

Object ID: 167136

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Page Score: 81.4% - 1 Votes

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Table of Contents

Approach

Approach to the Thunderbolt glacier from Sam Mack Meadow

Begin at the trailhead at Glacier Lodge and follow the North Fork of Big Pine Creek trail. Follow the drainage to the Big Pine Lakes. After you pass 3rd Lake, continue on to Sam Mack Meadow. On Sam Mack Meadow, do NOT follow the signed Glacier trail that goes to the left from Sam Mack Meadow, continue south to the end of the box canyon. Climb the wall at the head of the canyon to the crest of the current terminal moraine for the Palisade Glacier. I found the best option to go up the "steepish" gully on climber's right (portions covered with snow all year) and follow the weakness to the glacier. Camping spots and running water can be found along the way. I highly recommend going as far as possible (i.e. as close to the glacier as possible) to cut down on the approach time next day. Once you reach the end of the moraine, you will see Thunderbolt Peak in front of you. Descend from the moraine to the glacier below and to the right (norteast) side of Thunderbolt.

Route Description

Beware - this route is named Northeast Couloir in Moynier's "Climbing High Sierra". The rock alternative is called Northeast Buttress in "Climbing CA 14'ers".

The North couloir is the wide couloir above large bergsrund (open later in the season) on the North Face of Thunderbolt. Whereas the "easiest" routes to the summit monolith are located on the west side, the Underhill Couloir and North Couloir are the two least difficult routes approachable from the east. The North Couloir specifically offers a safe descent route after climbing a more technical route on the east side. We descended this route when returning from NE Couloir in early October 2005.

The route is quite straightforward. The crux later in the season would be crossing the bergsrund - we were able to climb through, utilizing a snow bridge. In early October 2005 the route was mainly hard enjoyable neve, in late October 2006 it was neve with patches of water ice, and in March 2007 it was some neve but mostly powder snow - so be prepared for any conditions. Once above the berg, go up the left Y of the couloir and ultimately aiming for top at the climber's right of Lighting Rod. In late seasont the left Y of the couloir can be partially melted out leaving some scrambling over rocks or one can instead climb the right side of the Y and traverse over at top. The couloir is 1000 ft of approx. 30-40 degrees at most and takes about 1-1.5 hours to gain the upper northwest buttress.

Once you reach the northwest buttress, drop down approximately 50 feet on the west side. Traverse underneath the lightning rod by contouring on class 3/4 rock. Looking towards the notch between the lightning rod and the true summit is a obvious gulley - the end of the SW chute No. 1 route. Take this to the notch between the two summits (rememberig the south summit is the true summit) and climb the south summit monilith via a class 4 chimney to the summit block.

Essential Gear

Crampons, ice tools. Earlier in the season an ice axe may suffice but hard neve may be present on the bottom 200 ft of the couloir. If uncomfortable on steep snow, consider bringing rope and pickets. We were able to descend the route without any pro.

Miscellaneous Info

the essential no-BS-added beta for the route is:

- Cross the berg on the left. Hopefully, there is enough snow to cover the crevasse.
- Shoot for the notch north of the lightning rod.
- Descend to the west side ~50 feet and traverse to the chute that takes you to the notch between the true summit and the lightning rod. Spicy if there is a lot of snow...
- Ascend class 4/5 (depends on who you talk to. I think it is 4) to the summit block. This might be the crux?
- Ascend class 5.9 summit block.

If you have information about this route that doesn't pertain to any of the other sections, please add it here.

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