robertjoy Posted July 8, 2003 Posted July 8, 2003 My daughter will be climbing Dragontail/serpentine this coming weekend with 5 friends. Can anyone describe current conditions (need crampons, axe?) on approach or (Asgaard pass) descent. Hate to carry in or carry over un-necessary gear . Quote
erik Posted July 8, 2003 Posted July 8, 2003 5 PEOPLE! MAKE SURE SHE WEARS TWO HELMETS....SERP IS CHOSS! Quote
Alasdair Posted July 8, 2003 Posted July 8, 2003 Hummmm. Lets see... It will likely be the same as every other year at this time. Possibly a little snow at the base that might be nice to have crampons to cross, or can be skirted around. The desent will have a snow field. If you dont take crampons then you walk an extra half mile around and go down from there. Oh and later in the season there will be less snow. Quote
Dumpster_Diver Posted July 8, 2003 Posted July 8, 2003 Serpentine Ridge is a fun route. The remarks about choss are not really true. I would even say the rock is better than say Forbidden Peak. There are the random loose blocks on the large sections of 4th class like any 4th class section in the mountains. I think the rock is solid where the climbing is steeper. Where the angle drops then just step a little bit more careful so you don't dislodge obvious blocks on the parties behind you. Â I do recommend helmets up higher if you are climbing in such a large group. Bring your route finding beacon and enjoy. Â The approach and descent are usually not without snow. The degree of the slope will vary depending on the year. Just bring some crampons and or an axe and you should be okay. Quote
Ade Posted July 9, 2003 Posted July 9, 2003 As of Sunday there is a short patch of hard steep snow, about a hundred feet wide, at the base of the route. Certainly best crossed with crampons although you could probably kick steps if you were wearing heavy boots. Â The slope on the descent from the summit to Asgard Pass is much larger and is also steep but likely to be softer late in the day. I wore soft approach shoes and was glad of a pair of Al crampons and a light axe. You may be able to skirt around this but there's more snow up there than when we did this last year so you may be walking a bit further. Â The descent from Asgard Pass is snow free. Quote
Timcb Posted July 9, 2003 Posted July 9, 2003 I did the route about 4 weeks ago and found it in great condition. definitely didn't need crampons, but was glad to have my axe Quote
Gary_Yngve Posted July 15, 2003 Posted July 15, 2003 We were there yesterday. It didn't get very cold overnight, so the snow wasn't too hard. We brought a tool each (less clunky than an axe) and single pair of alum crampons for the two of us. We never touched the pons, though the tool was nice for playing games inside the moat and for glissading down Dragontail. Quote
Greg_W Posted July 15, 2003 Posted July 15, 2003 robertjoy said: My daughter will be climbing Dragontail/serpentine this coming weekend with 5 friends. Â Rockfall danger, big time. Tell her to be careful or lead everyting. Quote
Ade Posted July 16, 2003 Posted July 16, 2003 Isn't the road to the trailhead supposed to close this week? Quote
Dru Posted July 16, 2003 Posted July 16, 2003 Going into the Enchantments your daughter might meet sketchy people like Greg-W or capt. caveman, and before you know it she'd be mackin' back horesecock and doing snuggle bivis with Beckey the horror! Quote
G-spotter Posted July 16, 2003 Posted July 16, 2003 hello i am reading in new canadian alpine journal that when fred beckey had to bivouac with ray borbon who i think is capitan caveman on this site, in the nuit range, the last summer, he is now calling it his most miserable bivouac ever. mr caveman did you insist on being the spoon and not the jelly! Quote
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