west couloir descent route, Mount Siyeh

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west couloir descent route, Mount Siyeh

west couloir descent route, Mount Siyeh

The west face of Mount Siyeh, as viewed from Bishop's Cap. Although not recommended for ascent, the west couloir route of Mount Siyeh is an attractive descent option for those looking to return to Many Glacier. A fantastic high alpine route can be completed in this fashion; after climbing Wynn Mountain, one can undertake a 5 1/2 mile ridge walk(including short climbs of Peak 9190 and Cracker Peak) that leads to Mount Siyeh. By negotiating small cliffs west of the summit, a large, loose scree couloir is encountered, and affords a rapid descent down to the valley below. Walking through the meadows for a mile or so the west will bring hikers to the Piegan Pass Trail, upon where it will be 5 or 6 miles on well-maintained trail back to Many Glacier. Refer to this link for the original photo. September 2, 2009
distressbark
on Jan 4, 2010 1:02 pm
Lat/Lon: 48.72489°N / 113.70948°W
Image ID: 586813

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Fred Spicker

Fred Spicker - Jan 6, 2010 8:27 am - Voted 10/10

Thanks for adding

I made the route title in the Routes Overview Section a live link to this photo since there is not a route page.

distressbark

distressbark - Jan 6, 2010 10:09 am - Hasn't voted

great

glad it could be of use. i haven't actually gone down this way (attempted the Skyline from Wyn twice last summer but weather got the best of us both times!), but some friends of mine described the route to me and said route finding was easy and the scree running was fantastic!

alexblondeau

alexblondeau - Feb 4, 2013 12:27 pm - Hasn't voted

Video from the route

Thought I'd post some video footage from this route to help give some idea of what it's like. Unfortunately I never was able to find the "fantastic scree running opportunities."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=qyi0NYV4qUM#t=1128s

distressbark

distressbark - Feb 4, 2013 4:53 pm - Hasn't voted

Re: Video from the route

Alex, thanks much for sharing your video. I came across it recently on Youtube and am glad you've posted it here. Unfortunately, it sounds like your story of descending this route is all too familiar. What looks like a great descent route from afar, and sounds like a great descent route according to Gordon Edwards, has not been the case for multiple groups that have taken this way down.

distressbark

distressbark - Feb 4, 2013 4:58 pm - Hasn't voted

Re: Video from the route

I should also add that you are not the first group that I know of that has encountered a grizzly bear on the slopes of Siyeh. A good buddy of mine had to dispense his bear spray just below the summit when a big bear bluff charged him. Glad you guys made it out okay!

Viewing: 1-5 of 5