[TR] South Early Winter Spire, Washington Pass - South Arete 6/22/2007

[devinejohnny]

Trip: South Early Winter Spire, Washington Pass - South Arete

 

Date: 6/22/2007

 

Trip Report:

South Arete, South Early Winter Spire, Washington Pass

 

Climbed on 7/22 under partly cloudy skies. The parking lot (Blue Lake TH) is mostly clear of snow now. The trail is well covered with snow until the first switch back, then is mostly clear of snow until the meadow where the climber trail heads up to Liberty Bell. Solid snow leads to the saddle behind SEWS. The route had one other party of three on it. We sat and gave them some distance. We folded our 60m in half, treating it like double ropes, and simulclimbed the whole route, arriving at the summit with the other party. Down climbed the route and made two raps at the end. Pretty straight forward. No snow on the route or summit, and the other spires look equally as good.

 

 

Gear Notes:

Brought a 60m, 7 runners, half set of hexes, half set of nuts.

 

Approach Notes:

Prepare for snow. We saw lots of day hikers as high as the climber trail, some wearing sneakers. We wore light mtnring boots with gaiters for the approach, which came in handy for the post holing on the way down.