Dhamma Posted June 30, 2009 Share Posted June 30, 2009 <-Newb A few of my friends who have sumitted via the avalanche gulch route in the summer have not roped up and said it is unnecessary. Both of these characters are not experienced climbers, so I figured I'd ask here. Is it a good idea to rope up? I'm thinking of doing it just to practice for Rainier (which is a goal of mine next year). Thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mkporwit Posted June 30, 2009 Share Posted June 30, 2009 No roping up should be necessary for avalanche gulch -- it is just a snowfield, not a proper glacier where crevasses would pose a hazard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dhamma Posted June 30, 2009 Author Share Posted June 30, 2009 thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dinomyte Posted June 30, 2009 Share Posted June 30, 2009 Yeah, I saw no one roped up when I was there. Can't imagine that anyone ever does on that route. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mountainmatt Posted June 30, 2009 Share Posted June 30, 2009 Your only real concern will be rock fall, bring a helmet, skip the rope. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dhamma Posted July 1, 2009 Author Share Posted July 1, 2009 got the helmet. so do you guys bring any pickets or deadmen for staking out the tent or route flags? <-newb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YocumRidge Posted July 1, 2009 Share Posted July 1, 2009 I would only rope up at the Hotlum glacier (as a few others did last weekend) that is heavily crevassed these days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScaredSilly Posted July 2, 2009 Share Posted July 2, 2009 No roping, just watch out near the top of the gully around the rocks. Due to the warming, the snow is weakest around the rocks and little moats can form. Probably will not die if you fall into one but it might hurt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mon_Col Posted July 11, 2009 Share Posted July 11, 2009 I'd skip on bringing pickets just for the tent. Can use the shovel and ski poles (if you don't plan to use them on summit day). Also, by now you should be able to find campsites in Avy Gulch that have melted out if you want to camp on rock and leave the shovel at home. This is especially true if you're not dead set on camping at Helen. The climbing rangers have done a pretty good job of flagging the route at all the places where you might get off track. Barring a total whiteout you'll be able to see the trampled down superhighway and the long line of headlamps that come with Avy Gulch, especially on the weekends. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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