West Ridge of North Guard-The parapet ridge 

FA:  ??? Type:  Trad, Alpine Consensus:  Easy 5th [details] Length:  4000 feet, Grade III Season:  summer Views: 33 page views Submitted By: justin dubois on Aug 8, 2009 Add Photo  Add Comment

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North Guard from the east

Description 

This route climbs the long beautiful West Ridge of North Guard from the sphix lakes. Its a classic Sierra scramble, complete with towers and gendarmes that must be negotiated along the way.

The majority of the climbing is 4th class, but as you approach the summit, it gets much more interesting...
Id be foolish to describe the actual route-finding, choose your own adventure!!!

Location 

Start at Sphinx Lakes, head straight up and scramble through talus to gain the toe of the ridge-Follow it!
descend via the gully,just below the summit, towards Brewer(south)
There is a col that one must cross back to the North east, to reach the Sphinx lakes Cirque, Do not mistake the drainage before you as Sphinx(they look very similar)

Protection 

gore-tex