Dragontail Descent

[TrogdortheBurninator]

Anybody been up on Dragontail (Serpentine) in the last week or so? Wondering how much snow there is, and what the descent was like. Would you recommend 0, 1, or 2 axes per team? What about mountaineering boots and crampons, vs approach shoes?

[Gary_Yngve]

When Jule and I did it the 2nd weekend of July two years ago, we took boots and axes, no crampons. I'm not too experienced with snow and approach shoes, but my guess is that you'd probably want crampons with the approach shoes. The snow approaching the base of the route (especially around the moat) can be quite hard.

 

I had a good look at Dragontail two Sundays ago from the top of Cashmere. There's still some snow left coming down from Asgard Pass (it's pleasant when it's all snow, tolerable with no snow, but downright annoying with a mix). There's a patch of snow before you gain the route (and likely a small moat). The descent from the summit of Dragontail to the Enchantments should be pretty mellow plunge-stepping if the snow is reasonably soft (which it should be).

 

[telemarker]

Trogdor,

 

You're better off assuming it's gonna be icey, steep and a shitty boulder strewn runout when descending the backside of Dragontail. Low snow year too, so expect 35 degree hard ice, and be pleasantly surprised when you find out you can glissade on soft snow. But at least be prepared. Keep in mind the dickweed last year who spent the night on the summit of D-tail in Tevas and nearly froze his toes....

[robertm]

one axe per peep.... no poons

 

90% of snow on asgard is melted as of 4 days ago...

[JoshK]

35 degrees!?!? Since when is the ice on the backside of dragontail 35 degrees? Granted it is a pain in the ass, and can be dangerous when icy, but I never thought it was anywhere near that steep.

[chucK]

Trogdor,

Give serious consideration to descending via Colchuck Col. It's a bit tricky finding the start of the descent from the summit, but just head for Pandora's Box, then look over the side. There's a snow finger that may be fat or may be thin heading down to Colchuck Col. From there, it's one big happy glissade instead of the misery that is Asgard. Even if the snow finger is thin, you can scramble down on rocks.

 

I'd say bring an axe at most. The crampons might be necessary in the morning, but this time of year probably not after the climb. So without poons you at least wouldn't have to worry about being stranded at the top. Suncups and an axe will probably allow you enough security to get across to the base.

 

posted back in '02:

 

To get to the couloir walk South from the summit on the gentle bowl on the East side of the Dragon's "Tail". The couloir comes up just North of Pandora's Box. See this stuffon MVS's page. The 4-6th pictures are all relevant. You can't see Pandora's Box from the summit of Dragontail, but you'll find it if you keep walking South near the spine. As I said, right now, that couloir down to Colchuck Col is very benign. It might be worse with less snow.

 

We followed Mattp's advice and camped on the moraine. No bugs up there and made the approach to the start of the route trivial. It did make the descent via Colchuck Glacier almost mandatory though.

[goatboy]

chuck, or anyone,

 

do you have any photos of Pandora's Box from the South side of Dragontail? I tried to find this descent once and flailed around before finally descending Asgard . . ..

[chucK]

From MVS's page linked above.

 

Did you mean from the North (the summit side)?

[slothrop]

As of Saturday, 7/25, there is maybe 50 feet of hard smooth snow between the moraine and the start of Serpentine. If you brought an axe and did a little step-cutting, you could avoid lugging boots up the route. The snow down from the summit to Aasgard was perfect for plunge-stepping and there is only one tiny snowpatch on the trail down from the pass.

[goatboy]

Thanks!