Type: Snow, Alpine
FA: Vladimir Ulyashin, Gordon Ye - August 2002?
Page Views: 3,257 total · 18/month
Shared By: Chris Owen on Aug 7, 2009
Admins: Chris Owen, Lurk Er, Mike Morley, Adam Stackhouse, Salamanizer Ski, Justin Johnsen, Vicki Schwantes

You & This Route


3 Opinions
Your To-Do List: Add To-Do ·
Your Star Rating:
Rating Rating Rating Rating Rating      Clear Rating
Your Difficulty Rating:
-none- Change
Your Ticks:Add New Tick
-none-
Use onX Backcountry to explore the terrain in 3D, view recent satellite imagery, and more. Now available in onX Backcountry Mobile apps! For more information see this post.

Description Suggest change

This route includes a very exciting ridge traverse. The East Arete proper can also be gained from either the glacier north of, or the cwm south of Lyell, both of which are considerably easier. There is also a way to reach the East Col from the ridge directly east (gained from Middle Marie Lake), this is also 4th class.

Use Rush Creek trail.

Route Approach
After wading across the outlet of Lower Marie Lake, hike easily along its west shore and over the creek that drains Middle Marie Lake. Scramble up scree/talus/slabs on the east slope of the peaklet to the east of the outlet of Upper Marie Lake. Easily cross the outlet of Upper Marie Lake then head up and across the top edge of the permanent snowfield ahead. Cross this and on the other side traverse a ledge system to a short gully which leads to the easy scree slope heading up to the crest of the South East Ridge.

The Climb
Carefully traverse this wild and airy Class 3 ridge, some loose blocks, until it becomes a talus slope, up this and when it levels off (before it becomes a steep rock ridge) cross (involving a possible snowfield traverse) to the notch which constitutes the East Col of Lyell.

Pass through the notch and onto the glacier and walk up this until it's possible to gain access to the East Arete, about where it stops being level and steepens up. Head up to and climb the ridge direct for a little while (4th Class) until you spot a large duck on the right of the arete. Pass this on its left and climb ever steepening Class 3 rock (more than one way to go) through a notch and up to the summit.

The arete direct is Class 5.

The Descent
Carefully descend the route - this is least risky way off and back to Lower Marie Lake.

Location Suggest change

Start from Lower Marie Lake.

Protection Suggest change

Solo, ice-axe extremely useful.

Photos

loading