Rappng Improbable Traverse?

[goatboy]

This question is in reference to the Improbable Traverse on Guye Peak.

 

Anyone rapped it?

 

Relative merits vs. the walk-off?

 

Thanks for any input.

 

Goatboy

[ivan]

i seem to recall that unless you have double ropes you can't rap the initial bullshit 4th class pitch as there's no suitable anchor - there might be another line off the top though that would bring you down through good anchors

 

the walkoff's not bad either - and you can frequently hitchhike back to the car w/ some exhulant mother-fucker who's just nailed das toof

[Toast]

Just descend the walk off. It's safer, and there's no need to hitch hike. You end up at the Alpental parking lot.

[spicoli11]

I 3rd the walkoff...its under 2 miles to the road

[Toast]

Though, I missed the turnoff at the bottom of the trail where it flattens out and ended up brush bashing my way down a dry creekbed that butted up to the condos across the street from Alpy. I felt kinda stupid till I saw another party came walking up the road and found that they'd done the same thing.

 

As soon as you hit the flats, look for a trail off to your right. If you end up in a dry creekbed of white rock with brush that gets thicker and thicker, back up before you get sucked in too far.

 

It's not so bad if you do, though. Just a pain when you know there's an easier way

[goatboy]

Sounds unanimous. Thanks so much for the info.

 

GB

[goatboy]

We ended up dropping off the main trail at an intersection at a flat pass, marked by two large trees laying perpendicular to the main trail...it dropped steeply down a good trail through dense brush, drifting through a few seeping creekbeds and cutting through slide alder and devils club without ever actually bushwhacking....there was a sign warning of avalanche control activity near the bottom and it popped out of the brush directly into the parking lot 50 feet from the car -- does that sound like the standard way down?

 

By the way, I give the Improbable Traverse a for the long scree slog, the fact that there were only about 2-3 good pitches the entire day, the huge amount of duff-slogging and brushy climbing, and the complex walk-off...I'm GLAD I did it and will probably never do it again. Anyone else think this climb isn't worth repeating?

[spicoli11]

That sounds like the trail. I agree with your perspective...but its gotta be better than waiting in line to climb das toof. Did you see anybody else up there while you were climbing?

[goatboy]

Sure did - party of two followed us up the route...

[scottgg]

I think this route is actually pretty good. Short approach, quick descent, and two fun pitches. I would suggest climbing a fun 5.7ish crack below and too the right of lunch ledge, then doing the traverse pitch, or climbing a fun crack that goes straight up bypassing the traverse. Definatly worth checking out.