I think this route is better than the N. Face in the right conditions. After leading the N. Face last year, I realized my solo of the NE Buttress was much more interesting. I was lucky to have picked one of the coldest days of the year. The climb consisted of some good ice right from the ridge, to perfect steep, styrofoam snow, and then a nice steep ice step about 2/3's of the way up the face. The exposure here was amazing. I toped out with temps near 10 below! Hard to believe, but true. I had views of the cascades and the volcanoes. I was in complete awe. If you ever get a chance to climb it in these conditions, you will not be disappointed. Climb on, Dan E.
