West Face (variation) 

A worthy variation to this variation is to work out onto the slab left of the normal start (with thin pro) and follow the cracks aiming for the left side of the roof, passing two pitons en route. Traversing back right under the roof is a gas.

For your return to your pack on the aqueduct, a wade through the tunnel between Buttress III and IV, without a headlamp (in the pitch black), barefoot, and up to your waist in water is a character building treat not to be missed.

The spelunking return was recommended by a friend, and we too suffered through the dark, cold, wet slot. I immediately contacted the friend, and asked her how she could recommend such a horrible hole where I had to bend down so much half my rack was dragging through the water. Turns out she had never done it when there was water in the aqueduct. I don't know the schedule, but at least half the year it is bone dry.

Not only is it bone dry most of the year, but it's also pretty damn easy just to walk around the elephant buttress or down the gully just NW of the stone, lol. But I DO have you guys to thank for the photo and the imagery of people actually attempting to chunnel through whilst it's filled with water. Next time perhaps you guys will try a more practical route?

I know all that, (did the dry route twice last week)...But you gotta try it when full, at least once - it's actually quite a trip!

We did the tunnel twice yesterday. I highly recommend this when there is water in it. You have to stow your gear above your waist and roll up your shorts. The water was very refreshing, and I don't think (?) it can get much higher than right under the crotch. If your shoes are tight, it's a treat squishing through the nice cool muck for a couple of minutes.