A view of the Crypt taken on 12/18/04. The ice co...
Description
Approach as for Loch Vale. The Crypt is located on the north side of the Loch and gets sun later in the day. Climb uphill to the obvious 100' curtain. Rocks may be found on the right side of the approach if avalanche conditions are high. Look out for avalanches from above as well. Allow 2 hours for the approach. To descend, rappel off trees.
Went up to the Loch to do the Crypt on 2-16-02. Did not need skis for the approach. The flow looks good except for the creeping snowfield above the gully. Trying to salvage the day we then checked out the Loch Vale Gorge area. It was lacking in ice!
Only attempt this route in low avalanche conditions. Huge waves of snow that would rip you off your stance and prompty bury you routinely pummel this route. New accumulations of snow pose problems. The sun warming the snow above the route also causes serious problems. Be careful.
The Crypt is nowhere near 100 feet tall. There are two trees at the top with slings around them. The first is very small and suspect. The second tree is much larger, but farther (~30 feet) from the top of the ice. A 60m rope easily reaches from the second tree, but a 50m rope should be long enough as long as you rap toward the ride side of the climb.
Loch Vale & uphill
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