NE Couloir on Colchuck?

[pup_on_the_mountain]

Has anyone been up the NE Couloir on Colchuck recently? Also, did any of you guys who were in the area

recently happen to have a good photo showing this route?

 

In this TR, the guys suggest going left and up after climbing a little more than half-way up the couloir.

But, in another report posted here about a year back, Bug and pals seem to suggest that its

not a good idea to go way left. Is there a "suggested" way up? Or is it just determined by

current conditions?

 

Beckey says there is a 60 degree headwall and a rightward traverse on

steep flutings at the couloir top.

 

Any info would be much appreciated.

[Bug]

Going left "half way" up would take you out into the buttress where you would have to be up for some interesting rock climbing.

Going left about 2/3 of the way up would put you in the left most exit gulley which is probably pretty steep and bare right now.

My guess is that you will want to hang right up the main gulley to where you cut left into the afore mention 2/3 gulley by angling left passing just under the small rock outcrops. From there, under the current light snow conditions, I have no idea what you will find. Be ready for some mixed climbing. A few extra pins and some cams might be handy. Maybe some short screws too.