The Crypt 

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.

Climbed the Crypt today, Jan 9th, 2010. The slings at the top have been upgraded to having two rap rings and an extra piece of cord or two. Should be good to go for a while.
-Jon

We could find no rap slings on 12-29-11.

I don't know if the 2 huge trees laying horizonally above the left side of this route are from the November 2011 wind event (they are still green).

We only found tat w/ rap rings on the big dead tree to the far right(which we cut off).

We installed a new rap sling w/ 1-ring & 1-biner around 2 x 5" trees in the lower center, and closest to the edge. I hope it remains easy to find.