This is the long, jagged ridge connecting Thatchtop to Powell Peak. This ridge traverse starts out easy but becomes very exposed for a hundred meters or so.

Steep on the northwest side and near vertical on the southeast side, make for some interesting class 4 and 5 slab and crack climbing in a spectacular, remote alpine setting. The position and length of ridge here are hard to beat.

Northeast Ridge II

Snark

For its modest grade, this route has a surprisingly exposed "big wall" atmosphere.  Snark ascends the left center of the main NE face in a direct line, ending near the summit cairn.  Approach is made on a huge diagonal ledge, most easily attained at its lower right side.  The route itself can be located with reference to a great left-leaning pillar or finger of rock, at least half the height of the face.  The climb reaches the U-shaped ledge area at the lower right corner of this formation, and continues up in a vertical line to its right to the top of the face.

P1)  Climb cracks toward the U for a ropelength, belaying below a smooth section.

P2)  Follow a curving flake/crack system up the slab to the right.  When it ends, move back up and left to ledges at the base of the broken, black-washed U.

P3)  Ascend obvious chimneys to a large, comfortable ledge.

P4)  The climb's best pitch.  Ignoring less interesting alternatives to the right and left, go straight up a fantastic hand-sized crack on the face above the ledge.  When it ends walk right to attain a system of steep flakes angling back up and left.  Follow the flakes to a belay.

P5)  Steep face climbing leads out right and up for a pitch to a broken area below the summit.

P6)  An easy short lead to the top.

Description

Location

Protection

Routes in Powell Peak