14ers.com • Peak Condition Update

Peak:	Dyer Mountain (13er)
Route:	West Ridge
Range:	Mosquito
Posted By:	powhound
Date of Info:	07/30/2019
Date Posted:	07/31/2019

Details
Originally wanted to do Dyer's class 4 west ridge but couldn't find a partner, so went up SE slopes. However, anyone considering the west ridge and or Evans B may find this helpful. Photo 1 - Looking north from Dyer summit. Being I had no prior info, I couldn't see from my vantage point that I could avoid snow going over to Evans B. Was glad to have ax and spikes. Snow was hard and my spikes slipped frequently. Crampons would probably be overkill though. Was wishing I'd brought my Hillsound trail crampons with their 3/4" teeth. That probably would've been the right tool for the job. Once on the ridge traverse to Evans, all snow is avoidable. I've noted the water source because I had originally set out to only do Dyer/Evans. Once out there, I decided to make a big loop adding Gemini/Sherman and this allowed a much appreciated refill for the longer than planned for day. It's the only water on entire loop. Photo 2 - Looking south from most of the way across to Evans B. You can see how snow is avoidable by heading over to Dyer's false summit, or greatly minimized near the Gemini saddle. I didn't know this, so went down the big snow field just west of summit. The class 3 area is short and has some dirt path work-arounds on the west side. Mostly your typical, loose and grungy 2+ crap. I did some of that going over but stayed ridge proper on the way back. Rock is much better and some fun moves to be had. Only place bumped off the spine was the little crux tower. To keep it interesting, you can stay high on a narrow ledge on the west side. If adding on Gemini/Sherman, you can avoid/minimize snow to the Gemini saddle by dropping down or climbing up, but you're adding elevation gain to your day either way. Since I had snow gear I went across the most direct way Of note - The north side of Dyer's west ridge has snow in spicy areas. Photo 3 - Wildflowers were great at the end of the route. (The start of Sherman's west route) I've never seen so many fields of Columbines. Photo 4 - Driving out, looking north at the south side of Dyer's west ridge route. Mostly dry but still a patch or two that could warrant snow gear. Photos (click for slideshow):

Details

Originally wanted to do Dyer's class 4 west ridge but couldn't find a partner, so went up SE slopes. However, anyone considering the west ridge and or Evans B may find this helpful.

Photo 1 - Looking north from Dyer summit. Being I had no prior info, I couldn't see from my vantage point that I could avoid snow going over to Evans B. Was glad to have ax and spikes. Snow was hard and my spikes slipped frequently. Crampons would probably be overkill though. Was wishing I'd brought my Hillsound trail crampons with their 3/4" teeth. That probably would've been the right tool for the job. Once on the ridge traverse to Evans, all snow is avoidable. I've noted the water source because I had originally set out to only do Dyer/Evans. Once out there, I decided to make a big loop adding Gemini/Sherman and this allowed a much appreciated refill for the longer than planned for day. It's the only water on entire loop.

Photo 2 - Looking south from most of the way across to Evans B. You can see how snow is avoidable by heading over to Dyer's false summit, or greatly minimized near the Gemini saddle. I didn't know this, so went down the big snow field just west of summit. The class 3 area is short and has some dirt path work-arounds on the west side. Mostly your typical, loose and grungy 2+ crap. I did some of that going over but stayed ridge proper on the way back. Rock is much better and some fun moves to be had. Only place bumped off the spine was the little crux tower. To keep it interesting, you can stay high on a narrow ledge on the west side. If adding on Gemini/Sherman, you can avoid/minimize snow to the Gemini saddle by dropping down or climbing up, but you're adding elevation gain to your day either way. Since I had snow gear I went across the most direct way
Of note - The north side of Dyer's west ridge has snow in spicy areas.

Photo 3 - Wildflowers were great at the end of the route. (The start of Sherman's west route) I've never seen so many fields of Columbines.

Photo 4 - Driving out, looking north at the south side of Dyer's west ridge route. Mostly dry but still a patch or two that could warrant snow gear.

Photos (click for slideshow):

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