[pct-l] fuller ridge question

[Greg Kesselring]

no doubt it's steep.  However, 60 degree slope is not walkable, you'd be 
bumping your elbow into the slope.  60 degree slope looks vertical or 
even overhanging to most folks.  45 degree is very steep, uncomfortably 
steep for most folks.  I believe extreme skiing begins at 45 or 50 degrees.

Not to discount the steepness of this slope, but most of us tend to over 
estimate slope angle.  I'd guess the slope angle of your first pic at 
35, maybe 40.


Brick Robbins wrote:
> Here is a pic taken on Fuller Ridge in June of an average year, well 
> after the thrus had gone by.
> http://www.fastpack.com/brick/joe_fuller_ridge.jpg
>
> It was pretty easy to navigate the crest of the ridge for the first 
> couple of miles, avoiding the very steep snow on east side where the 
> trail goes, but as you get lower you are pretty much forced to drop 
> down there to get where you need to go. There were sections of 60 
> degree packed snow. One slip, and you become an ex-hiker.
>
> Personally, I'd say that traversing this section in the conditions 
> that existed when I took the photo without an ice axe would be pretty 
> suicidal.
>
> Here is another pic from that same trip taken in Taquitz Valley, a few 
> miles south of Saddle Junction. Note how easy it is to follow the 
> trail tread (TIC). Compass skills are a must
>
> http://www.fastpack.com/brick/joe_taquitze_valley.jpg