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Wasatch Range (Central) > Mount Superior & Monte Cristo > An Unspeakable Day in the Wasatch Mountains: Photo Trip Report.
An Unspeakable Day in the Wasatch Mountains: Photo Trip Report.
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An Unspeakable Day in the Wasatch Mountains: Photo Trip Report.
 
An Unspeakable Day in the Wasatch Mountains: Photo Trip Report. 

Page Type: Trip Report

Location: Utah, United States, North America

Lat/Lon: 40.58997°N / 111.67053°W

Date Climbed/Hiked: Mar 22, 2008

Activities: Mountaineering

Season: Spring, Winter

 

Page By: marauders

Created/Edited: Mar 24, 2008 / Mar 24, 2008

Object ID: 390608

Hits: 3256 

Page Score: 91.93% - 64 Votes 

Vote: Log in to vote

 

Table of Contents

South Ridge, Mt. Superior, Utah

Here come the photos...

Conclusion

Images

South Ridge, Mt. Superior, Utah

Considered a Wasatch classic climb, the south ridge of Mt. Superior lies directly north of the Snowbird Ski Resort. In the summer, the south ridge is a spectacular climb, which is mostly 4th class and a few sections of low 5th class rated at 5.3. Under snow cover, the route becomes more challenging as you climb 55-60 degree snow, negotiate cornices that swallow the ridge proper, and search diligently for good protection. Overall the ridge is a magnificent climb in superb surroundings. This one comes highly recommended!

Climbers:
Glenn
Levi
Matt
Michael

Here come the photos...


Enlarge
Our ascent up the south ridge and descent down the south face of Mount Superior.


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Glenn enjoying the sunrise on the lower slopes of the south ridge. The majority of the initial slope is between 30-40 degrees. As the slopes funnels to create the first narrow section of ridge, the slope max is roughly 50-55 degrees.


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Atop the initial slope, we gained our first view of the majority of our route.


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Exposed sections of the ridge, which are quite comfortable in the summer, become more unnerving as cornices swallow up the real estate. We attempted to chop a hole in this cornice, but the snow and ice was rock solid.


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Looking down the first narrow section of ridge, with a beautiful cornice peeling over the east side.


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The final section of the first narrow ridge on the south ridge route. This section of ridge ends at the top of the Suicide Chute. With some exposed rocks and horns we could have used a running belay, but with all this snow, the rope would only assure that we all died together in a fall, so we kept the rope coiled away.


Enlarge
The view up the middle section of the south ridge as seen from the top of the Suicide Chute. This was a great spot for a rest.


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Above the Suicide Chute was a 60-degree slope that I didn't bother to take a photo of. I just wanted to climb up it fast. After that fun, we got back to narrow ridge lines.


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Along the entire route there was so much snow that protection was few and far between. This was the best belay all day.


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A nice mild section of climbing just over midway up the route. On these broad sections of the ridge the snow was a bit soft, but still powdery so trailbreaking wasn't too hard.


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This was the first really exposed move on the route. Although the camera doesn't show it too well, the rocky areas in the middle of the photo required some of those full-commitment moves. Glenn found some good protection by wrapping a sling around an ice column under the overhanging rock.


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A close up of some of the huge cornices.


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Other than the tree belay shown earlier, the rest of the climb was boot/axe belays and the like.


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The last section of exposed climbing on the south ridge. Again, the camera doesn't do this justice. Before Glenn placed his steps, this was a thin fin of sugary snow and it was very hard to tell where the rock ended and the cornice began. Although we all pulled our share of leading, Glenn took the two most difficult sections, which earned him the "balls of steel" award. It was some fine climbing.


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After the last exposed section of ridge, it was time to relax and coil the rope. What a climb this was turning out to be!


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Taking the last section of the ridge to the summit. Most of the south ridge is visible below.


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The summit of Mt. Superior with Monte Cristo in the background. Days like this make you pinch yourself to assure it's real.


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Traditionally we would walk down the east ridge route, but with the stable snow, how can you resist a glissade down the south face of Superior? During our climb, we watched three groups of skiers put lines down the south face, so we decided to join 'em.


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In the soft snow we could only glissade so far, the rest was postholing...fun. I swear my hips and thighs nearing exploded by the time we reached the road below.

Conclusion

How would we sum up the day? Unspeakable! Great partners, stable snow, perfect weather and spectacular surroundings. Ah, the mountains, it doesn't get any better.

Images

[ View Gallery - 7 More Images ]


Comments

[ Post a Comment ]
Viewing: 1-20 of 26 « PREV 1 2 NEXT »

SpiritEnvy

Voted 10/10

Being a student in Stockholm away from any mountains and with insufficient incomes to buy any equipment and afford a trip to any nice place for climbing, I can only read postings on this website and watch fantastic photos. I dream of my birthplace where I could at least climb the nearest peak - Chardzhik - though only 1642 meters above the sea level or any of the more distant peaks Undedn - 1667 meters and Beslet - 1938 meters. At least we have nice snow in Stockholm now.

You guys seem to have more luck than me. The photos are awesome! And your route seems to be pretty rough. A layman like me would take the route that you take down.

Finally, thanks about this trip report. Since I am stuck at sea level, I can at least read about the mountains and watch cool photos from these magnificent pillars.
Posted Mar 24, 2008 9:44 am

warriorpoetNachos!

Voted 10/10

Proof that it takes more than a camera and a good eye to get a great shot.
Posted Mar 24, 2008 10:24 am

vanman798Wow

Voted 10/10

Awesome pictures, of what one can tell was an awesome climb. I was skiing over at Alta why you guys where climbing, and several times I took at my binoculars to spot you, but wasn't lucky enough to see you.

Very Impressive!
Posted Mar 24, 2008 11:10 am

PinchosaButterflies...

Voted 10/10

Just reading this report gives me butterflies in my stomach! What an experience! From your pictures and description it looks and sounds like it was an incredible climb. Glad you could enjoy the perfections of the day and one killer route!

By the way marauders, your pictures are amazing!
Posted Mar 24, 2008 11:19 am

Ammon HatchMajor Envy

Voted 10/10

I can't believe I slept through my alarm...
Posted Mar 24, 2008 11:31 am

Bruce ChristensenWow

Voted 10/10

It looks like you guys had a great time. Nice pictures, and nice job on a beautiful route.
Posted Mar 24, 2008 12:00 pm

Dottie Little TentNice!

Voted 10/10

I thought these were some of the best photos in a trip report
Posted Mar 24, 2008 2:27 pm

DeanSuperb

Voted 10/10

Love the great pics and trip report. Congrat's on a great day in the mountains.
Posted Mar 24, 2008 3:43 pm

Matthew Van HornI love Utah!

Voted 10/10

Matt, your photos confirm again why Utah is such an awesome place to live. Good job guys.
Posted Mar 24, 2008 4:53 pm

PellucidWombatWhat a day out!

Hasn't voted

I've never seen so much snow on the South Ridge. The crux rock move appears to even be snowed over! (Photo 12) It looks like a completely different climb than any time I've been up it.

Congrats!
Posted Mar 24, 2008 4:54 pm

maraudersThanks...

Hasn't voted

...for all the great comments. We'll have to get another SP climb together soon.
Posted Mar 25, 2008 12:19 am

d_shorbcool

Voted 10/10

Beautiful photos man. Great colors, angles, etc. Nice climb too. It was a different climb this year for sure, and nice job capturing it.
Posted Mar 25, 2008 10:03 am

dmikiExcellent

Voted 10/10

A jolly good outing I must say.
Posted Mar 25, 2008 3:58 pm

seanpeckhamAwesome

Voted 10/10

Nice job on the climb and the TR, but especially the photos!
Posted Mar 25, 2008 8:38 pm

MikeTXUtah Rocks!

Voted 10/10

I was at Arches NP on the 22nd, enjoying the same spectacular weather you guys had. This is one of my favorite TR's. Made me want to be there!
Posted Mar 25, 2008 9:58 pm

Joe WhiteThanks!

Voted 10/10

This was a fantastic trip report! Thank you for sharing.

A quick question: As a climber who cares about taking great pictures, what photography equipment do you carry on a typical mountaineering adventure? (camera, lens etc.)
Posted Mar 26, 2008 3:59 am

maraudersRe: Thanks!

Hasn't voted

Thanks for the compliments. I use a digital SLR camera, specifically the Canon 30D. I carry it in a Promaster bag (I mention the brand because it's the only one I've ever found that keeps the snow out without having to zip the top. I just use the clip, so that I can pull out the camera fast.) I clip it to the side of my pack. At first it was heavy and a bit awkward, but you get used to it. I compensate by putting water, etc. on the other side of the pack to balance it out.

As far as lenses you have to have an ultra wide angle lens to get any descent ridge photos. I use the Canon 10mm-22mm lens. I also carry a Canon 24mm-105mm lens for closer photos, flowers, animals, depth of field, etc. I carry that in a Lowe Pro lens holder on my other side so that I can change the lenses back and forth quickly. Other than that, a circular polarizer filter, lens cloth, extra batteries and memory cards.

The trick is to take tons of photos without interrupting the rhythm of the climb. Sometimes I don't succeed with that goal, but my partners are cool and appreciate the end result. I've become a lot faster over time so hopefully the camera doesn't get in the way too much.
Posted Mar 26, 2008 12:31 pm

Joe WhiteRe: Thanks!

Voted 10/10

This was SUCH a helpful reply! Exactly the information I was looking for :)

Ya know...it might be worth it, one day, to post an article about photography and climbing, like some tips of the trade you have found helpful! That would probably be super helpful for a lot of people.
Posted Mar 26, 2008 7:30 pm

sergioGreat pics

Hasn't voted

I have to tell you that the quality of your pics is simply superb!! And your website rocks too!!
Posted Mar 27, 2008 12:51 am

maraudersRe: Great pics

Hasn't voted

I appreciate the comments. My website is fun hobby.
Posted Mar 28, 2008 1:06 am

Viewing: 1-20 of 26 « PREV 1 2 NEXT »


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