climb now? snake dike again

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crazyazid

climber

san diego, ca

Topic Author's Original Post - Mar 21, 2004 - 05:27pm PT

so inspired by the climb now forum and I'm reasking this question. So the hike to and the climb (snake dike) itself is free of snow? I understand its the hike down that has snow and is troublesome. Well looking at the topo it seems that the climb can be rappeled with two ropes tied together. So if I'm the only one on the climb, I could do this. Any adivce? How bad is the hike down? I saw a picture of it about two weeks ago and it seemed a bit hard, any one have a recent picture? Has the pass two weeks made a difference? How hard would it be to rappel the route?

Zam

Trad climber

San Francisco

Mar 21, 2004 - 05:56pm PT

Haven't been on SD in a couple years, but if I recall correctly, the top couple belays are NOT bolted. So you would have to leave some gear if you wanted to rap it. Tnen you would have every rat within 100 miles scrounging up after it. Good luck!

crazyazid

climber

san diego, ca

Topic Author's Reply - Mar 21, 2004 - 06:10pm PT

hmmm...that is true. anyone know how bad the decent in the snow would be? I've never done any ice climbing but would it be bad if I had crampons and an ice axe?

jclimb

Trad climber

Durango, Co

Mar 22, 2004 - 12:27pm PT

IMHO, any thought of descending half dome in the snow would be hideous, crampons and tools or not (especially if you've never used them before). what are you going to do, downclimb the entire cable route? it's not just a walk off. on top of that, i don't see any realistic way to rappel snake dike. the tope 800' or so (maybe i'm exagerating) are 3rd and 4th class slab (that's after the supertopo route description ends). i don't see much point to climbing snake dike and not summiting half dome, either. and there's no where to leave gear on the actual dike even if you wanted to. just be patient, let it clean up, and you won't have to worry about any of this crazy stuff.

jclimb

Trad climber

Durango, Co

Mar 22, 2004 - 12:38pm PT

post-script to my previous post: if there is only snow on the hiking part of the descent (mist trail, muir trail, etc), then forget my precautions and do it.

crazyazid

climber

san diego, ca

Topic Author's Reply - Mar 22, 2004 - 01:17pm PT

thanks guys, see that's my problem. Right now I don't know where the snow is but since I know its relatively empty in the valley right now its tempting to want to get my climbs in, specially since I'm on spring break and I have some time, but o well. I'll wait a bit I guess and have to do a crazy road trip one weekend.