Layback
New member
Greetings from the west coast...
A group of 6 Seattle Mountaineers including myself climbed SEWS yesterday via the SW Couloir. Fantastic snow conditions throughout much of the climb with thinning snowpack at the top of the 50 degree section with a little 4th class "mixed climbing" above. This was the first alpine climb for a couple of these guys and one I'm sure they'll remember for a long time.
Go get it while it's still good. My guess is that there's enough snowpack up at the top of the couloir to last another week or two at best (to make conditions worthwhile). My pickets were bottoming out at the top of the 50 degree section. Bring 60 meter ropes for the rappel or be prepared to bury a deadman for the final rappel.
A group of 6 Seattle Mountaineers including myself climbed SEWS yesterday via the SW Couloir. Fantastic snow conditions throughout much of the climb with thinning snowpack at the top of the 50 degree section with a little 4th class "mixed climbing" above. This was the first alpine climb for a couple of these guys and one I'm sure they'll remember for a long time.
Go get it while it's still good. My guess is that there's enough snowpack up at the top of the couloir to last another week or two at best (to make conditions worthwhile). My pickets were bottoming out at the top of the 50 degree section. Bring 60 meter ropes for the rappel or be prepared to bury a deadman for the final rappel.
