Crampons on Stuart?

[bcollins]

Planning on doing the West Ridge of Stuart. Can I get by with light approach shoes and no crampons? I need recent beta. Do I need an ice axe?

Thanks, Barry

------------------

 

[erik]

barry, me bro climbed it in tennie's earlier this week, patchy snow....have fun and be safe. nice day trip! ice axe would be nice.

sorry hazy postings.

[This message has been edited by erik (edited 07-12-2001).]

[pms]

I'm with cmonster. That snowfield is steep. You could also consider bringing 1 pair of crampons for two people. One crampon each?

[cmonster]

I don't know about the current approach conditions, but I do know that it is rare to not want an axe for the snowfield below the false summit this early in the season.

[Kalun_D]

See my post "N Ridge Sturt?" Crampons and axe not needed. The snow patch below false summit is large but only had to traverse 2 25' sections, stayed on rock most of the way. Easy stepkicking, you could use your hands to arrest.

[MountainMan]

How steep would you estimate the top 25 ft. to be on the snowfield below the false summit?

[mike_holman]

Best route on Cascadian is to stay right of the snowfield. The blocky rock is like a big toy - easy 3rd & 4th class that leads to and over the false summit to the true top. For return, I like the next couloir east of Cascadian (Beckey's Variation #1), lots of plunge stepping, a little class 3, and a good lower trail back to Ingalls Ck - makes a nice loop.