C2 vs C3 couloir on Ellingwood

[macgyver]

Curious to know which one people prefer via the Zapata route. What are the conditions on the C2 route comparable to?

[Jay521]

Can't speak to C3 but I've done C2 twice and it is a pain, but obviously doable. Closest thing I've been on that is similar is the gully on Lindsey. But the advantage that C2 has over that gully is that you will likely be alone so the danger of other climbers starting rockfalls is significantly less. I found that staying hard left (or hard right in a couple places) made the ascent easier. Descent going down the center wasn't easy but wasn't horrible either.

It is a beautiful hike up to the lake and from there to Ellingwood, you will likely have it all to yourself. You might also PM GeoJed for his thoughts on it - but bear in mind that he flies over what most of us walk.

Enjoy! It's a beautiful route!

[geojed]

I have not done C2 when it was dry. I only glissaded down it when it had snow.

If I did it again and the C2 was dry I would just do that. Shorter distance, less elev gain. YMMV

[macgyver]

I should mention they will be 4 of us going up, if that makes any difference..
thanks for the feedback thus far

[painless4u2]

Haven't done C3, but here's a photo of C2 about midway up or so:

C2 Couloir.jpg (125.57 KiB) Viewed 997 times

If you have done Lindsey's gully, as mentioned, or the one on Pyramid, it should be no problem. For 4 people, you might want to stagger the positions going up. I went with one person (in the picture) and had no problem with falling rock, but you never know.

[eskermo]

C2 SUCKS!!! It would be awesome as a snow climb. I cannot speak to C3 as I have not climbed it. However, I think C2 is probably one of the worst, scariest gullies I've found myself in. Spare yourself, please.

[crossfitter]

Just so you guys know, C1 - C4 actually has a real meaning and you're using it wrong.

If it doesn't look something like this



and doesn't have some of this:



or some of this:



It's not C2 or C3

[macgyver]

As far as we use it, and as far as I am aware (someone correct me if I'm wrong), it was coined C2 from this trip report and not to be used as a climbing term. http://www.14ers.com/php14ers/triprepor ... Ellingwood" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

"I'd like to label it "C2" after my dear friend and climbing partner, Craig Clanton (now deceased), who would have been on this trip, but was undergoing chemo for leukemia. (He actually goes by the C2 symbol, plus, it does resemble the Crossfire Couloir double "C's")."

[crossfitter]

I've never heard of that as a named feature, but if it seems to be an actual name in common useage, fair enough. I only stir the pot because I see people frequently trying to refer to class 2-class 4 as "C2-C4" which is already a climbing term on it's own.

[jmanner]

FYI: http://www.14ers.com/routemain.php?rout ... ittle+Bear" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

edit: It's what they are talking about.

[painless4u2]

Just so you guys know, C1 - C4 actually has a real meaning and you're using it wrong.
If it doesn't look something like this
It's not C2 or C3

Yeah, my intention was not a Clean Scale grading of the couloir, but, as explained previously, to honor my deceased friend who went by the C2 moniker. The fact that it is the same name as the grading system was purely coincidental. My apologies for any confusion.

[macgyver]

There doesn't seem to be too many people that have hit the C3 route. If anyone has, it'd be great to know how clear the route is to follow (if there is one laid out) since we'll probably be hitting it a little before the sun rises.

painless4u2 - most here weren't confused by your naming of the routes, and we appreciate your trip report and honor to your friend.