SarahThompson - Jun 14, 2009 8:46 pm Date Climbed: Jun 14, 2009
Westmost couloir
Climbed the westernmost, most difficult of the three couloirs. The rock crux in the couloir was in bad shape with sketchy snow. There were no protection opportunities before trying to pull the first few moves. Backed off and climbed the short workaround 5.2 rock pitch on the right side of the couloir. That worked very well and deposited us directly above the mess. The snow in the couloir was very hard making upward progress slow and labor intensive. This felt like one of the most serious snow climbs I've done but I don't know how much of that was due to conditions. It was sustained and steep the whole way - in the 50's. Great day! Somewhat of a surprise, but a good one.
SarahThompson - Jun 14, 2009 8:46 pm Date Climbed: Jun 14, 2009
Westmost couloirClimbed the westernmost, most difficult of the three couloirs. The rock crux in the couloir was in bad shape with sketchy snow. There were no protection opportunities before trying to pull the first few moves. Backed off and climbed the short workaround 5.2 rock pitch on the right side of the couloir. That worked very well and deposited us directly above the mess. The snow in the couloir was very hard making upward progress slow and labor intensive. This felt like one of the most serious snow climbs I've done but I don't know how much of that was due to conditions. It was sustained and steep the whole way - in the 50's. Great day! Somewhat of a surprise, but a good one.