[b00]

whistler via north ridge 6-8-2015

modern climbing the north ridge of whistler

fun trip, but more worrisome than anticipated. we did 4 pitches of 3rd and 4th and a little bit of low 5th on rock that, although nothing broke off on us, was very suspect. most of the holds could not be tested, as they appeared they could either land on you or start a cascade of rocks down on you. we could have scrambled it, but both of us were glad we roped up, as it was exposed and we both felt uneasy about the rock quality. we descended the west ridge (which was a lot nicer when i descended earlier this year when it had snow). modern did not enjoy the dinner plate rocks on the west ridge that seem to want to take his feet out. once off the west ridge the descent was quite pleasant. the approach was also quite pleasant. you might guess we would run into brush on the approach and descent, but you would be wrong.

modern napping on whistler summit

quick and dirty route info: park at rainy pass along hiway. head up generally ene along side bridge creek to 6200, head sw to meadows and take path of least resistance to 7300' notch in whistler north ridge. scramble up to belay station, 2nd tree. ascend mostly on east side of ridge, then scramble loose gully back up to ridge and climb on west side of ridge to near summit. descend west ridge to 6500' and then find way back down to meadow,

whistler meadows

from meadow descend the easy slopes you came up, back to the car.

easy off trail travel

easy off trail travel

route to the notch in whistler's north ridge

scrambling from the notch on whistler's north ridge to the upper tree where we did our first belay

second belay, dirty gully that we asccended next is below

the dirty gully scrambled between pitch 2 and 3

below pitch 3

pitch 3, to a small tree

end of the last pitch and the summit of whistler

4.36mi 2886' gain 2:56 car to notch on north ridge 0:35 break (eat, put on harnesses) 3:07 climb to summit 0:43 summit stay 2:28 summit to car 9:50 car to car

equipment: ice axe, helmet, 50m rope, light alpine rack, harness

[raising3hikers]

you've been busy! thanks for posting

[iron]