The Rigid Designator Steps

The Rigid Designator steps offer an adventure beyond the Vail Amphitheater. Post hole up the Designator gully and earn a few feet of wild ice. For reference The Designator will be considered Step 1.

Step 2: Drop down into the gully and belay from a cluster of trees on the left. Climb a short section of WI2 ice and creek bed. Gain the base of a 15 foot pillar (WI3-4), and check the ice conditions. It is easy to retreat from here by traversing left. If the ice is satisfactory, climb the pillar and look left to belay from a large tree. Step 3 is now visible.

Step 3: I have not climbed Step 3 yet. It looks more committing than Step 2. It is possibly WI4+ M6-7? There are a couple downed trees and thin ice to negotiate. You may be able to hitch one of the larger trees with a 4-6 foot piece of cord.

Per ?? and with Earl Lunceford: Step 3 was pretty garbage, probably WI3, with some bomber mixed moves. The ice was very thin, so we tried to stay off it. We postholed an hour up the gully after Step 3 and found some running water but no ice. This was definitely adventurous.

Step 4?

These are above The Designator. Approach the second step from the climber's left side of gully. The second step will be a 5 minute walk uphill. The third step is clearly visible from the top of the second step. Large trees offer belay options. You can walk off the second step on the climber's left.

Webbing, long runners, and stubbies.