The ridge between Chiefs Head and Pagoda is not a hiking route. The top of the ridge is intensely exposed, and getting up to it seemed to have some unavoidable class 3 moves. I descended 30-50 feet from the ridgeline to bring it to class 2+, but it was slow going. I descended via the westmost ridge (away from its exposed west side) and this was MUCH better. There is an occasional step or two of scree on this line, but it's a walking route. For those who do not like exposure, the summit ridge is wide enough (at least 30 feet at minimum) to avoid the cliffs, and the summit high point is NOT on the edge.
djilk - Aug 21, 2011 7:55 pm - Hasn't voted
Advice for hikersThe ridge between Chiefs Head and Pagoda is not a hiking route. The top of the ridge is intensely exposed, and getting up to it seemed to have some unavoidable class 3 moves. I descended 30-50 feet from the ridgeline to bring it to class 2+, but it was slow going. I descended via the westmost ridge (away from its exposed west side) and this was MUCH better. There is an occasional step or two of scree on this line, but it's a walking route. For those who do not like exposure, the summit ridge is wide enough (at least 30 feet at minimum) to avoid the cliffs, and the summit high point is NOT on the edge.