Shelf Cirque Traverse  Easy 5th

1,759 page views Good page?

Type:  Trad, Alpine, 19475 feet, Grade IV Consensus:  Easy 5th [details] FA:  Season:  summer-fall Submitted By:  Bill Duncan on Apr 15, 2011 You & This Route  |  Other Opinions (3) Your todo list: Your stars: Your rating: -none- [change] Your ticklist: [add new tick]

The Shelf Cirque Traverse.

Add Photo  Add Comment    Printer View

Description 

This has 4 summits, excellent exposure, tremendous views, and some climbing. Start at Solitude Lake. Climb Arrowhead. Traverse west on the McHenry's-Arrowhead ridge, and then climb the NE Ridge of McHenry's. Descend from the summit to the NW, then off the west side of the ridge to the upper reaches of the gully behind McHenry's Notch. 1 rap gets you into the gully. Climb Mt. Powell. Descend to the NW until you can drop on to the NE ridge that leads to Thatchtop. This ridge is amazing in its exposure and views of the Cathedral Spires. Continue to the summit of Thatchtop, and then descend back to Solitude Lake, or to the north if you are familiar with the descent for All Mixed Up.

This is an excellent 1-day outing, or bivy at Solitude Lake for a treat.

Protection 

You may want to bring ropes and some webbing for the rap into McHenry's Notch. If you are not comfortable soloing easy fifth class with exposure, then bring a light alpine rack.

Photos of Shelf Cirque Traverse Slideshow

Add Photo

The sw ridge of Arrowhead.	The ne ridge of McHenry's Peak, as viewed from the...	Climbing the NE ridge of McHenry's Peak with Arrow...
The ridge between Powell and Thatchtop. There is ...	Starting the Powell-Thatchtop ridge traverse, enjo...	Most of the traverse is visible.