Easier Steep Snow/Ice Climbs

[ajpederson]

My gf has expressed interest in starting to do some steeper snow and ice climbing this winter/spring. Does anyone have some suggestions of routes that would be good to start on?

 

Already on the list of potentials:

Lane Peak (Zipper, Fly, Lovers Lane)

Chair Peak (N Face, NE Buttress)

Shuksan (N Face)

Stuart (Ice Cliff Glacier)

 

Any help is appreciated, even if they're not in until later in the spring.

[wetslide]

Also add Sherpa Glacier and Stuart Glacier Coulior on Stuart.

[fredrogers]

SW Coulior SEWS

 

Mapleleaf Coulior Copper Mtn

 

both right off the hair pin in the N Cascades.

 

N face Graybeard for ice/snow mixed.

[Kyle_Flick]

I agree with most of the above suggestions, except Graybeard's North Face is a high risk intro to steep climbing...unless you wanted to lose the gf. Has she already climbed Triple Couloirs on Dragontail? With a strong mixed leader, she'd enjoy Dragontail's NE Couloir. Anything on Colchuck should be fun for her.

[DPS]

Early winters couloir, North Early Winters Spire

North Ridge, Pinnacle Peak

West Ridge, North Twin Sister

NE Couloir, North Buttress Couloir, Colchuck Peak

NE Couloir, Argonaut

North Face, Bryant Peak

 

[TwoFortyJeff]

For something close by, take a look at the routes on the south side of Guye.

[JensHolsten]

Also, if you grab the tools and run before it starts snowing over here on the eastside, you can catch the NE Coulior on Argonaut in incredible, moderate ice and mixed conditions. Having done this the other day, I can say it is a much better, more well protected, and more interesting climb than something like Chair Peak.

[JasonG]

Lots of great suggestions, here are few more to add to the list:

 

-That prominent gully (from the Highway) on Whistler Peak between Rainy and WA passes. Great fun, easy descent.

-East Face of Mt. Angeles (Olympics) in the winter.

-NR of Baker

-Adams Gl. on Mt. Adams

-NF Buckner

-Frostbite Ridge on Glacier Peak

-NF ramp on Harvey (BC)

 

Whatever you do, do not take her on the NF of Graybeard. Were you serious Fred??

Edited November 4, 2011 by JasonG