Some extra beta from our attempt a few days ago. We tried to add this on as a half day hike while doing the Crest trail. We dropped packs on the Avalanche Divide trail and headed up the west ridge to the initial headwall. There was a faint climber's trail that led to the right side (south, not north like the post above states) of the wall. Easy scrambling takes you up and to the right (a couple cairns were in place) to a notch. Then continue traversing to the right and up. We did not reach the summit because my partner pulled a microwave-sized rock and it crushed his foot, so we had to descend early and he was fortunately able to limp out. It was VERY loose with huge potential for rockfall. I would recommend a helmet. If you are an experienced climber, you will likely feel comfortable on the steeper solid rock sections (adjacent to the gullies) which are arguably safer due to lack of loose rocks. A couple of my party were not experienced climbers, so stuck to the lower angle gullies, but this is where the loose rock was, making it feel much more dangerous and also leading to the foot injury from rockfall.
SLCetc - Aug 19, 2021 11:02 am - Hasn't voted
West Ridge attemptSome extra beta from our attempt a few days ago. We tried to add this on as a half day hike while doing the Crest trail. We dropped packs on the Avalanche Divide trail and headed up the west ridge to the initial headwall. There was a faint climber's trail that led to the right side (south, not north like the post above states) of the wall. Easy scrambling takes you up and to the right (a couple cairns were in place) to a notch. Then continue traversing to the right and up. We did not reach the summit because my partner pulled a microwave-sized rock and it crushed his foot, so we had to descend early and he was fortunately able to limp out. It was VERY loose with huge potential for rockfall. I would recommend a helmet. If you are an experienced climber, you will likely feel comfortable on the steeper solid rock sections (adjacent to the gullies) which are arguably safer due to lack of loose rocks. A couple of my party were not experienced climbers, so stuck to the lower angle gullies, but this is where the loose rock was, making it feel much more dangerous and also leading to the foot injury from rockfall.