The Emerald

This is one of the classics at Banks and also one of the only routes tucked up off the main highway.  One could guess that the colors of the ice lend to the climb's name.  The climb starts off with a short 30 ft step of ice which can also we hiked around easily on the left.  The main pitch typically climbs a cone and then the steep textured ice above.  While the guidebook calls it a WI4, that is a bit of a sandbag.  Evan in fat conditions the easiest line is usually dead vertical for half a pitch and there are several lines that climb funky/overhanging ice.  

Also on a fat year this is an entirely separate climb to the left of the main pitch.  It is typically shorter, and not nearly as steep although it is often thin.

Park at the large pullout just south of MP 13.  From the pullout hike north up through the scree aiming for a gully in the rocks.  Once above you will reach a secluded valley where after another 5-10 minutes of hiking will bring you to the base of the route.