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Columbia to Harvard Traverse via the West Slopes |
After reading numerous TRs on the traverse, along w/Roach's recommendations on going up the West Slopes and not down them, we decided to tackle the traverse via this route. Special thanks to Tommyboy360 for his report and detailed "A/B/C/D" photo with a good line to the grassy slope from the downclimb of Columbia.
Having now completed it, this is definitely way to go. The climb up Columbia, while steep and loose, would have been far worse to descend. And, the downclimb off Columbia while staying on the ridge was fairly straightforward, as was the traverse through the talus field up to the grassy slope to Harvard.
Coming off Harvard is straightforward and far easier to descend. Not sure why the consistent route is recommended as doing Harvard first, as climbing down Columbia has to be far worse than going up it. That may change with the trail being built, but until then, recommend doing this route.
Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):
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