Download Agreement, Release, and Acknowledgement of Risk:
You (the person requesting this file download) fully understand mountain climbing ("Activity") involves risks and dangers of serious bodily injury, including permanent disability, paralysis, and death ("Risks") and you fully accept and assume all such risks and all responsibility for losses, costs, and damages you incur as a result of your participation in this Activity.
You acknowledge that information in the file you have chosen to download may not be accurate and may contain errors. You agree to assume all risks when using this information and agree to release and discharge 14ers.com, 14ers Inc. and the author(s) of such information (collectively, the "Released Parties").
You hereby discharge the Released Parties from all damages, actions, claims and liabilities of any nature, specifically including, but not limited to, damages, actions, claims and liabilities arising from or related to the negligence of the Released Parties. You further agree to indemnify, hold harmless and defend 14ers.com, 14ers Inc. and each of the other Released Parties from and against any loss, damage, liability and expense, including costs and attorney fees, incurred by 14ers.com, 14ers Inc. or any of the other Released Parties as a result of you using information provided on the 14ers.com or 14ers Inc. websites.
You have read this agreement, fully understand its terms and intend it to be a complete and unconditional release of all liability to the greatest extent allowed by law and agree that if any portion of this agreement is held to be invalid the balance, notwithstanding, shall continue in full force and effect.
By clicking "OK" you agree to these terms. If you DO NOT agree, click "Cancel"...
There is a large deposit of avalanche detritus across the road into the Mohawk Lakes basin, so you currently have to park about 1/2 mile from the end of the road. Given its size and the density of avalanche debris, I would not expect this to melt out for at least another month, if not longer.
From current parking it is about a 3 mile hike w ~1500' vertical gain to reach the upper basin at around 12,600'.
The basin is melting out quickly. The remaining snowfields seemed to be well consolidated - even in the afternoon, I was only postholing around their perimeter. Caveat: I only weigh in at ~175 with pack. I did not take snowshoes, and appreciated not needing to haul the extra weight.
The N couloir gets sunhit early this time of year - around sunup - so get an EARLY start.
On the way up the basin there are currently numerous alternate lines available to be climbed if you're running late or are just feeling adventurous. Some look pretty interesting. Most of these will exit along Pacific's E Ridge:
The lower N couloir itself is currently threatened by a large cornice I nicknamed "Terrifying Bastard". This guy hangs over the exit onto the north ridge, not the normal exit. Once you get to the bottom of the dogleg you are no longer in its path. The image is a bit deceiving as it appears to overhang the rock tower, but in reality it will sweep much of the entire lower couloir when/if it goes.
Conditions in the upper 300 feet or so are variable. In some places there is hard alpine ice and six inches to the side you can plunge the shaft of your axe and kick a foot placement without problem, and six inches to the side of that the snow is unconsolidated and useless.
The upper 100-200 feet before exiting at the notch have an existing shallow but icy bootpack. A second tool or a rigid boot, while not essential, will be appreciated for this section if you are not protecting the route (and maybe even if you are). It was spicy with one mountain axe and flexible leather hiking boots - frontpoint placements wanted to blow with the flex of the boot.
There is a fixed rope in this section if you feel so inclined, athough I personally think that if you need to use a fixed rope for this part you shouldn't be climbing the couloir...
Descent was via downclimb and glissade of a snow slope above the unnamed lake at 12,391 in the Mohawk Lakes basin. Cross the flats around Pacific Tarn below the start of the east ridge. The last few snowfields before the start of the rugged portions of the E ridge are gentle enough that they can be downclimbed/glissaded relatively safely (all other things being equal...).
Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):
You know you‘ve been hiking alone awhile when you start naming the cornices. That is phuquing phunny :-) Nice report.
Caution: The information contained in this report may not be accurate and should not be the only resource used in preparation for your climb. Failure to have the necessary experience, physical conditioning, supplies or equipment can result in injury or death. 14ers.com and the author(s) of this report provide no warranties, either express or implied, that the information provided is accurate or reliable. By using the information provided, you agree to indemnify and hold harmless 14ers.com and the report author(s) with respect to any claims and demands against them, including any attorney fees and expenses. Please read the 14ers.com Safety and Disclaimer pages for more information.
Please respect private property: 14ers.com supports the rights of private landowners to determine how and by whom their land will be used. In Colorado, it is your responsibility to determine if land is private and to obtain the appropriate permission before entering the property.
