[TR] Mount Sloan - NE Ridge 7/25/2010

[PaulB]

Trip: Mount Sloan - NE Ridge

 

Date: 7/25/2010

 

Trip Report:

Jordop & I used rare weekend passes from familial duties to make a trip across the Hurley River Road for an ascent of Sloan. We'd last been in the area three years ago for a trip to Vayu, so it was nice to make a return.

 

The NE Ridge is well described in McLane's guidebook. Pretty good rock, as much exposure as you're comfortable with and most difficulties can be avoided on the left side of the ridge. Due to the unusually cool spring there is still a lot of snow in the alpine, and there was a small patch just below the summit to give a bit of variety from the 4th class scrambling.

 

Five hours up from the bridge across Ault Creek to the summit and 3 hours down the descent gully on the south face, past the lakes and back to the bridge. We managed to find the trail on the east side of the lower lake, which reduced 'schwacking to tolerable levels.

 

View from the approach:

 

On the ridge:

 

Summit view south-west to Sampson:

 

South-east to Matier:

 

West to Vayu:

 

Jordop attempting to self-induce cardiac arrest in the upper lake:

 

A great day in the hills for two guys who don't get out as much as we used to.

 

Gear Notes:

- Took a half rope and a handful of pro but didn't use it.

- Ice axe was handy for snow patch just below summit and more extensive snow in descent gully

 

Approach Notes:

The Ault Creek road has waterbars that require 4WD-HC (mostly HC) if you want to get to the parking/bivy site below the lower lake. The spur road that goes from the bridge across Ault Creek to the toe of the NE ridge is blocked with lots of windfallen trees but makes for an easy approach hike (the spur would be drivable if someone went up with a chainsaw and cleaned things up).

Edited July 27, 2010 by PaulB

[genepires]

purdy!

[AlpineK]

Nice to see you guys getting out!

[Teh Phuzzy]

my nuts went into hiding just looking at that!

 

Looks like a great trip.