Fall Gathering S-ridge Beta

Colorado peak questions, condition requests and other info.
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leggaj5
Posts: 70
Joined: 7/30/2010
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Fall Gathering S-ridge Beta

Post by leggaj5 »

In light of some of the accidents in this range recently, I wanted to offer som advice regarding this route which will no doubt be well-traveled next weekend. We completed the route yesterday, and my advice concerns the options to gain the ridge. There are two gullies separated by a rib, and we ascended the rib and descended the second gully, which will be on the left on your ascent. This second is so loose and rotten, and I highly advise not using it at all. On the descent, I kicked down a rock that was the size of a beach ball that didn't stop until it reached the valley floor in addition to many smaller rocks. It doesn't save time and will be a death trap with multiple people in it. Go up and down the rib in between the gullies; it is solid and probably doesn't exceed class 3.
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flintster
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Re: Fall Gathering S-ridge Beta

Post by flintster »

Cool, thanks for the info. 3 of us are headed up for the gathering and wondering if getting to the S-Ridge is going to be a shooting gallery...
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justify429
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Re: Fall Gathering S-ridge Beta

Post by justify429 »

If your climbing down the sides of the gully be careful the rocks there can come loose. Had a Guy fall 40' and walk out from it. Just be cautious all around and gl to all of you. Always more dangerous the larger the crowd.
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KeithK
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Re: Fall Gathering S-ridge Beta

Post by KeithK »

leggaj5 wrote:In light of some of the accidents in this range recently, I wanted to offer som advice regarding this route which will no doubt be well-traveled next weekend. We completed the route yesterday, and my advice concerns the options to gain the ridge. There are two gullies separated by a rib, and we ascended the rib and descended the second gully, which will be on the left on your ascent. This second is so loose and rotten, and I highly advise not using it at all. On the descent, I kicked down a rock that was the size of a beach ball that didn't stop until it reached the valley floor in addition to many smaller rocks. It doesn't save time and will be a death trap with multiple people in it. Go up and down the rib in between the gullies; it is solid and probably doesn't exceed class 3.
Good advice for sure. In case anyone is wondering/confused, here is a picture that should help. The red line is BAD, the green line is GOOD. I know, I took the red line up [-X , and the green line down \:D/ .
Entrance gully (climber's left on ascent).
Entrance gully (climber's left on ascent).
s-ridgeentrancegully.JPG (256.4 KiB) Viewed 364 times
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