Hood, South Side

[ClimbingPanther]

I had a question about variations on the South Side of Hood. I can't seem to find a picture anywhere that clearly shows the gully immediately to the climber's left of the Pearly Gates. Can anybody tell me something useful about it, like does anybody actually use it, how steep, usually icy or snowy, good/bad alternative to guide a beginner, etc.? Better yet, does anyone have a clear picture of it from up close? I am looking for alternatives for the Pearly Gates to guide my family up with my partner and his wife too. We will not be fast at all, and I don't want to clog the Gates. The West Crater Rim is another alternative, but I'd rather not use this if I don't have to due to being a little steeper and way more prone to avalanches (depending on conditions of course).

 

Thanks a ton for any info!

[ivan]

pretty much all the options up there are the same - they're very short, about the same steepness, icy in parts and funneling rock n' ice when it's falling - you don't really need a picture - just stand on the hogsback and pick any line you want to the top from the pearly gates or off to the left - they're pretty much equal, but usually less traveled on popular days.

 

west crater rim really isn't much steeper, except this one very very short section right at the top before leveling out for the summit slog