catbirdseat Posted February 6, 2004 Share Posted February 6, 2004 I've always thought it was generally considered safer after climbing Gib Ledges to descend either the DC or Ingraham Direct. If taking the Ingraham, you can then take Cadaver Gap for a fairly direct descent to Muir. I've heard several people say they just go back via the Ledges. Why would you do this? Later in the day, Gibraltar Rock can drop lots of rocks on your head, for one thing, and going down the ledges exit gully can be dangerous too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DPS Posted February 6, 2004 Share Posted February 6, 2004 I've descended Gib Ledges in winter. Twice. It was really no big deal. The exit gulley was not particularly steep as I recall. It was cold when we returned so we did not experience any rockfall. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattp Posted February 6, 2004 Share Posted February 6, 2004 I think the reason you'd go down that way is largely the same as the reason you might find it easiest to go up that way: it is the most direct route, and pretty mujch all the steep ground is on south facing slopes that will genearlly be more firm than N or NE facing ones. I've descended that way once, and yes - there were stones falling. I didn't want to stand still, but it wasn't really that big of a deal. On another occasion, when we feared stonefall, we simply continued down that "exit gully" and it seems to me that were down on nearly flat terrain within about 15 or 20 miniutes of leaving the top of Gibralter Rock. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catbirdseat Posted February 6, 2004 Author Share Posted February 6, 2004 You mean "Gib Chute" as that route is called? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattp Posted February 6, 2004 Share Posted February 6, 2004 Yes, it was the Gib Chute. A very fast descent in sloppy snow being warmed by mid-day sun and we were then walking back to Camp Muir. Climb (descent) over. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dulton Posted February 6, 2004 Share Posted February 6, 2004 (edited) Would skiing down the Gib Chute be practical/safe/fun?? That would really make the descent a quick one! Edit: Has anyone here done that? Edited February 6, 2004 by Dulton Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Posted February 6, 2004 Share Posted February 6, 2004 You want real rockfall, go to Banff, son! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DPS Posted February 7, 2004 Share Posted February 7, 2004 The route was skied on tele gear in march 2000. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catbirdseat Posted February 7, 2004 Author Share Posted February 7, 2004 Would skiing down the Gib Chute be practical/safe/fun?? That would really make the descent a quick one! Edit: Has anyone here done that? I had heard Mike Gauthier snowboarded it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norman_Clyde Posted February 7, 2004 Share Posted February 7, 2004 I finally got out on my new AT setup today. I'm definitely sold on Randonee`, which is making me a lot more curious about places like Gib Chute. It would no doubt make a nice ski descent in the right conditions. I would have to be a little concerned about avy danger, however, since the slope angle definitely includes the 38 degree maximum risk inclination, and if you skied it after climbing Gib Ledges, by definition you would not have had a chance to check out the snow on it first. I would not want to go for it in winter except after a few sunny days I may be a lot more cowardly than the average freshiez fanatic on this page, however.) Don't forget icefall risk from Nisqually Ice Cliff. I sent MG a few emails about snowboards and Rainier last year. He urged me to take up boarding, saying there are places on Rainier he can enjoy boarding (like Gib Chute) that he would not want to ski. I'm still on skis because I already know how to ski, but I still have to learn how to board. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dulton Posted February 7, 2004 Share Posted February 7, 2004 Well I'm definetaly gonna try a snowboard descent of Gib Chute then, sounds sweet!! Just gotta get done with this stuff called studying Skyclimb you in??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skykilo Posted February 7, 2004 Share Posted February 7, 2004 I can't imagine why Gib Chute wouldn't be fine for skis... I guess this calls for an investigation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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