[TR] South Early Winter Spire - SW Couloir 5/14/2014

[asong]

Trip: South Early Winter Spire - SW Couloir

 

Date: 5/14/2014

 

Trip Report:

I wanted to take advantage of beautiful weathers nowadays and take a day off. Not able to find a partner for Liberty Bell, I was contented to climb South Early Winter Spire with Eric and Hayoung via SW Couloir.

 

Even though it was on Wednesday, We wasn't able to park at Blue Lake TH. The parking lot was still closed and covered with Snow. Only a couple of cars could park in front of the gate. We drove a mile to east and parked there.

 

The route condition was still good. enough snow for comfortably climbing without roping up, not deep and firm enough for putting pickets for protection though. Some short sections had ice. But it was not big of deal. Eric had crampon problem. so he climbed without wearing crampon with one ice ax.

 

2 two-rope length rappels brought us down to lower Couloir where we could down-climbed.

 

 

 

More photos:

 

 

Gear Notes:

2 Pickets - didn't use

Medium racks - didn't use

2 ice tools - One Ice Ax would work too.

 

 

 

Edited May 16, 2014 by asong

[jpasteris]

Nice report.

 

Did you happen to get a look at Liberty Bell? I'm wondering if the Beckey Route is mostly snow-free.

[Frankazoid]

Looks like a good time! Do you know if the south arete is snow free?