The disappearing west ridge of Uruashraju Norte, seen from the south

Our high camp is on the other side of this ridge. We had blue skies early in the morning, but before long, the clouds started moving in. On our way up to Uruashraju, we had just crossed the ridge, coming down the snowy slope in the center. On the other side, the north of this ridge is mostly glacier covered, with sections of rock. There appeared to be lots of options gain the ridge, and we opted for what looked like an easy way up, not particularly steep and on the glacier almost all the way, that put us on the ridge far to the left in this picture. Then, looking down the other side, we were surprised to see a steep rock face. We decided to follow the exposed ridge for a while, looking for a beter place to come down the south side. Apart from the exposure, it was an easy scramble. After a short while, we reached snow on the ridge, which provided a good way down the south face. The snow was loose powder and coming down was easy. We could see a small bergschrund, and I thought I was well away from it, but I learned that it continued hidden beneath the snow furthern than I had expected and was suddenly hanging on my two ice tools with nothing below my feet. Pierre had the rope taut as well, and I could easily get my feet onto the lower side of the crevasse. A good reminder that this is would not be a good solo route! On the way back up, I looked at the rock to the right of the snow, but it looked harder, so we went up the same way we came. The powder was hard work. Then, instead of following the ridge down for a while, we looked for a more direct way. In retrospect, I think it would have been easier to descend the way we came. 19 July 2011.