South Gully/South Spur

This is the winter/spring version of this route.  The summer/fall version is listed here: Guy Peak South Gully (summer/fall)

This route offers a short approach and moderate 50 deg snow climbing with potential for easy dry tooling and a short step of ice. There are many route variations to explore.

One version:

Begin at the cliffs forming the South gully just above the treeline.  Ascend around 300-400ft (about three 60 rope length pitches) to reach the first chockstone located at a constriction in the canyon.  This is the crux of the route except when deep snow conditions provide a ramp.  Left and right of the rock both go.  Surmount the second chockstone 50ft beyond and continue up the gully another pitch.  Here there is often an ice or rock step (no more than 8ft high, but sometimes obscured in deep snow).  Continue up another 30m until you see the end of the gully.  It is possible to turn left before the end of the gully: look for two large trees and follow the ramp up climbers left around the cliff.  Continue to the south summit about another two 60m rope lengths.

From here, follow the ridge to the middle summit then rappel down off the tree about 30 meters, placing you on the East side of the middle summit.  Ascend the ramp to the North Summit.  Take care, there are often large overhanging cornices along the ridge and on the North Summit above.

Descend west by the Cave Ridge trail to arrive at the Alpental parking lot or by the Commonwealth trail (East).