Descent off El Cap

[layedback]

Tenatively planning on climbing the Tangerine Trip next week. Any advise on the snow pack on top, condition of the descent slabs, alternative walk offs?

[dalius]

You can do as the BASE jumpers do and jump off. It's probably the quickest and funnest way down?

[willstrickland]

There are two alternative walk-offs and they both suck. From the top of the Nose, there is a huge cairn. Go straight back until the trail splits. The left fork going downvalley will eventually put you in the Tamarack Flat CG after about 10+ miles. The right fork, going upvalley will eventually put you at the junction with the Yos falls trail that descends to the valley floor. It's about 8 miles.

 

A post on supertopo.com would likely get you up to date info on the snow up top. There are some folks who live in the valley that are regs on that forum, Werner Braun a longtime YOSAR fella being one.

 

I would do the east ledges, having done all three.

 

Good luck.

[fjellklatrer]

There is currently a lot of snow in Yosemite. Have fun, but be very careful. The descent options suck in good conditions.

[DirtyHarry]

The descent options suck in good conditions.

 

 

I thought the east ledges were pretty chill.

 

If it aint a paved path it sucks?

[AlpineK]

With a bunch of snow on top of the upper east ledges slabs I bet it could suck pretty hard, but if this is the case you'd also be hiking miles through snow on the other routes.

[G-spotter]

 

don't drown running away from the tool, though

[Jens]

Watch for bees. We've been attacked in April!

[dalius]

All this snow just gives you more reason to do as VanHalen and JUMP!

[brook_alongi]

That's an old picture. Isn't that where Ammon put the porch swing bolts?