BETA PHOTO: This photo, taken from the Black Lake - West Gully...
Description
This route climbs a prominent couloir system on the northeast face of McHenry's peak. If you're lucky enough to catch the face in good conditions the climbing is reportedly somewhat moderate at M4-. However, conditions I've encountered have been a grade or so harder. The climbing tends to be more of a mixed snow and rock route without much ice. The somewhat remote location, length, and proximity to other routes (for enchaining) make this route an excellent venue for some adventure climbing.
One obvious enchainment option is to climb the West Gully of Black Lake followed by this route, or another on the same face. Another less obvious option would be to climb the Hourglass Couloir on Arrowhead. The easterly descent of which would put you right at the base of this face.
Catching this route in perfect conditions may be tough. Both times I've been on the face, late January and early March have yielded tough conditions. However, the route is still very enjoyable when the cards aren't all in your favor.
Location
Start at the base of short slab which forms a weakness in the initial rock band on the north east face.
Protection
An alpine rock rack with a few screws, pins, and two specters, the latter being key for the many frozen turf sections.
For the intrepid few, I would strongly recommend doing Big Mac or Right Gully in 2 days. Gillett and Burns books both call these routes Grade III, but I respectfully disagree. If the Casual Route is Grade IV, and AMU and Notchtop are Grade III, then these routes seem like they should be Grade IV. Mind you, these are Winter routes vs. Summer routes, and that's apples and oranges, but seriously, the McHenry's/Arrowhead Cirque is both Jye-normous and very far away. Do not underestimate this area of RMNP.
Glacier Gorge
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