Roping up below South Gully.
Leader – John Stevens
Climbers – Rick Laidlaw, Brandon Freeman, Bob Leahey, Andy Doig, Erik Anderson
What was initially planned as a Central Gully climb turned into South as avalanche conditions were rated Considerable for our primary objective. Climbing conditions could not have been much better with alternating firm but crampon-able snow and consolidated powder. This was a first for a few of our climbers who had not climbed South Gully before. For Bob Leahey, this was his first gully climb of Mt. Washington, ever. Bob managed to climb two crux ice bulges, even losing his crampon on the 2nd one. He managed to climb it anyhow while Andy recovered the missing footgear and brought it up later. I appreciate Bob pushing his boundaries and growing as a climber…put this one in the bag, Bob!
Approaching mid-April, Huntington’s Ravine is still a winter playground. The ravine will probably be conducive to snow and ice climbs for the rest of the month.
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