leaf
04-13-2009, 10:09 PM
Climbed Boott Spur Gully with Frodo, Suebiscuit, Gig, and arm. Darl came with us just up to the base of the gully as she is still recovering from an injury.
Left at 8 a.m. from Pinkham.. Hojos at 9:30. Then we headed to the base of the gully to go over a little self-arrest and z-pulley crevasse rescue for an upcoming Alps trip.
Headed up the gully around 11:30. We split up into two roped teams. Me and gig on one rope and then Sue, Frodo and arm on a second rope. We simul-climbed up the whole way except for the second small ice bulge where we set up a belay. Me and gig switched off leads, pounding in the four pickets and several ice screws we had between us along the way.
Conditions were pretty good. The snow was hard (and stayed that way throughout the day), we couldn't make steps which gave my ankles a good workout. But fine cramponing snow. The ice was nice and soft. Most of us carried one mountaineering axe and one climbing tool. I think Frodo carried both his tools. Wish I had both my tools for the ice, but whatcha gonna do.
Weather was awesome in the morning..pretty much bluebird. the clouds rolled in by afternoon but the temps stayed warm enough. Low winds.
Once we topped out, around 2 p.m. we headed down Boott Spur trail. Thin snow/ice cover on top of rock above treeline. Soft, slushy snow at and below treeline. Could of benefited from snowshoes at this point but I didn't mind postholing a few times instead of carrying shoes up the gully.
Back to Pinkham around 4:30 pm.
Good times! Didn't get a chance to take many pics. Just from the bottom and then once we topped out.
PICS HERE (http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/7884110_gb9SX#511141316_J4H7u)
Left at 8 a.m. from Pinkham.. Hojos at 9:30. Then we headed to the base of the gully to go over a little self-arrest and z-pulley crevasse rescue for an upcoming Alps trip.
Headed up the gully around 11:30. We split up into two roped teams. Me and gig on one rope and then Sue, Frodo and arm on a second rope. We simul-climbed up the whole way except for the second small ice bulge where we set up a belay. Me and gig switched off leads, pounding in the four pickets and several ice screws we had between us along the way.
Conditions were pretty good. The snow was hard (and stayed that way throughout the day), we couldn't make steps which gave my ankles a good workout. But fine cramponing snow. The ice was nice and soft. Most of us carried one mountaineering axe and one climbing tool. I think Frodo carried both his tools. Wish I had both my tools for the ice, but whatcha gonna do.
Weather was awesome in the morning..pretty much bluebird. the clouds rolled in by afternoon but the temps stayed warm enough. Low winds.
Once we topped out, around 2 p.m. we headed down Boott Spur trail. Thin snow/ice cover on top of rock above treeline. Soft, slushy snow at and below treeline. Could of benefited from snowshoes at this point but I didn't mind postholing a few times instead of carrying shoes up the gully.
Back to Pinkham around 4:30 pm.
Good times! Didn't get a chance to take many pics. Just from the bottom and then once we topped out.
PICS HERE (http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/7884110_gb9SX#511141316_J4H7u)