Direct North Face WI4
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| Type: | Trad, Ice, 1500 feet, Grade IV |
| Consensus: | WI4 [details] |
| FA: | |
| Submitted By: | eDixon on Nov 22, 2007 |
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Lower pitches of DNF. The very bottom pitch is cov...
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Description The Direct North Face is a Silverton area classic that follows a series of ramps and steps up Peak 12,579'.
Start by heading up the drainage, directly to the base of the first steep curtain/pillar. Depending on the conditions, this can be short, easy ice steps (WI2) or snow slogging (easy to solo or simul). Climb the first pitch of steep ice up to a ledge (~70', WI4) and an optional belay. Continue up more steep ice (~100', WI3/4) to a large terrace. Some snow slogging leads to the base of the next pitch of ice. Climb moderate ice (~75', WI3) up to the next ledge system. From here, it is a lot of snow slogging and a few short ice steps that lead to the summit.
Descend the route by walking off to the left after any of the steps, or V-thread and rap off.
Location Follow FR 585 for about 4 miles. The Direct North Face is the next route after passing Cataract Creek. It should be easy to spot off to the left of the FR 585.
Protection A selection of screws.
Hardest section of DNF.
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Poked a hole in the pirate ship on the Direct Nort...
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The last real pitch of the DNF on Nov. 22nd '08.
P...
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DNF as of Nov 22nd '08. Photo by Trask Bradbury.
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The top of the first real pitch of steep ice.
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P. Tschannen leading a fun variation.
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Matt Tuttle rope gunning it in easy conditions.
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Rope cluster entertainment.
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| Comments on Direct North Face |
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By Jason Nelson
From: SLC, UT
Oct 31, 2008
| This is usually one of the first climbs to form up in the Ouray/Silverton area. It's good to do this early season so that you can drive to the base, and hopefully avoid avy danger too. It's never been that fat (as in the photo) when I've done it, and that snow chocked gully below the ice has a couple hundred feet of fun WI2-3 to get you warmed up with. |
By Trask
From: colorado springs, co
Nov 5, 2008
| Hey there Jason.....so am I correct in assuming that you have already done this route this Oct. and that it IS in??? |
By Trask
From: colorado springs, co
Nov 24, 2008
| Did this climb with my brother Slade on the 22nd of Nov. 08 and man was it warm. A little wet on the last two pitches (come now heir doctor surely you have no objections to and early morning shower) or something like that...after we got off we went and checked out some things in Silverton and Stairway is lean, Whorehouse Hoses is sweet looking. Gully 1 and 2 are really lean, but people were getting a 3 in the afternoon start on it. Sweet. |
By eDixon
From: Durango, Colorado
Nov 14, 2012
| Lower steep pitch is still not in as of 11/13/2012. It is starting to form up but needs some time. The upper pitches appear to be in good shape. |
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