BETA PHOTO: Our line of ascent on the Snave on 6/23/2009. Pho...
Description
Looking for a fun and quick ascent of a 14er before work? Then head to Summit Lake on the Mt. Evans road and climb the Snave Couloir. This moderate and short route provides nearly 1,400' of snow climbing on the north face of Mt. Evans and plops you out right at the summit, above the parking lot.
With a car shuttle, you could drive down to Summit Lake and be gone in as little as 2 hours round trip. The route involves moderate snow, to 50 or 55 degrees maybe, and some short steps of water ice in the WI2- range or 4th class rock climbing depending on when you catch the route.
Location
North face of Mt. Evans above Summit Lake. Hike into the bowl/cirque and head climbers left. The Snave takes the couloir up to the prominent notch just left of the summit.
Ascend the snow fields and gain access to a large ledge/bench system and either come at the Snave from the left (easy) or take one of the other options just below the couloir which might involve some easy ice climbing.
Protection
Crampons, mountaineering axe and maybe one ice tool for the ice sections.
My party and I took the line in the topo photo above. We found some water ice in the WI2- range. The rest of the climb was moderate snow, great, front pointing and solid tool/axe placements. The 4th class rock at the top was a fun finish to the route, but too short!
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