June conditions often provide excellent alpine climbing, as the firm snow makes for great cramponing on the steeps, and easier travel over the lower angle scree fields that open up later in the summer. Many classic snow routes exist in the range, which often involve topping out on couloirs, and reaching the summit via easy to moderate mixed climbing!
Marc Hanselman and client Andy Forbes took full advantage of this, and on a recent outing to McGown Peak in the Northern Sawtooths (above Stanley Lake), climbed the striking north couloir, with good weather and perfect climbing conditions.
McGown with the prominant north couloir being the highest (photo taken in February)
Andy sending!
As the window slowly closes on some of the snow routes, the access to alpine rock (such as the Perch) starts to open up. Stay tuned…