Hidden Gulley Hijinks -2

Part 2:

Enjoying the rarity of sunshine in Hidden Gulley, we enjoyed a nice lunch at the top of the first bowl, knowing it would be last sun we'd have for the day. It's that fact that also makes Hidden one of the earliest climbs to form and last to thaw out in the Spring.

Leaving the first bowl, there's a short vertical section of ice in a tight constriction I call 'The Funnel' (bottom photo, Tom) that leads you into 'The Amphitheater' (2nd photo up, Tom). Once there, you can choose how you want to continue climbing, or exit via the 'Goat Path' on the far right which lets you drop down into a descent of Easy Gulley. There are left, middle and right variations to continue on the climb. The middle is the longest, and leads you up out of the amphitheater (3rd photo up) into another narrow gulley above (top right photo), that eventually tops out in the woods on the summit.

There are some great view up there, trust me (top left photo).

We had counted on a great day on the mountain, but what we didn't count on was the amount of snow in the last part of the middle gulley as it crested into the summit area. Usually, you can find a path that leads to the right, drops down a little, through a small cave, and into the top of Easy Gulley for a few rappels and out you go.

We haven't had that much snow down low this year, but up there we found ourselves swimming uphill in chest deep snow, through tree tops, in fading light. After about an hour of futility, we accepted the fact that we weren't going to find the trail, and rapping the route was the only option. Utilizing the best of the Notches bushes and 'Tom's V-Thread Special' by headlamp, we found ourselves back at the entrance and ready for dinner and imbibitions.

A proper day in the mountains.