Yes, I agree. Going up the west ridge was great fun, descending the normal route was more like hard work. Of course we were getting a bit tired by then. But regardless of the route quality, the views were still wonderful.
However, my most vivid memories of the route are not the loose stuff: it's having to traverse those very steep snow fields covering the path! In conditions like that, the west ridge is safer, even for regular hikers.
rgg - Apr 4, 2013 4:07 am Date Climbed: Jun 30, 2012
On the descent
After climbing the west ridge, I descended the normal route.
Without snow, it would have been easier, but the way it was, it required concentration, especially at those places where the path was covered by very steep snow fields:
selinunte01 - Apr 4, 2013 4:20 pm Date Climbed: Sep 9, 2012
Descendingthats the way you should do this route! The west ridge is the best way to get to the summit - the normal route is a lot of loose rubbish.
rgg - Apr 5, 2013 2:33 am
Re: DescendingYes, I agree. Going up the west ridge was great fun, descending the normal route was more like hard work. Of course we were getting a bit tired by then. But regardless of the route quality, the views were still wonderful.
However, my most vivid memories of the route are not the loose stuff: it's having to traverse those very steep snow fields covering the path! In conditions like that, the west ridge is safer, even for regular hikers.
rgg - Apr 4, 2013 4:07 am Date Climbed: Jun 30, 2012
On the descentAfter climbing the west ridge, I descended the normal route.
Without snow, it would have been easier, but the way it was, it required concentration, especially at those places where the path was covered by very steep snow fields: