Fletcher is often underestimated in the winter conditions. Surrounded by other mountains, snow accumilation can be considerable and it lingers longer, too. Still it's one of the most beautiful spots in the Ten Mile range. It's gorgeous there in spring and summer (and the mountain is easier to climb)! Slipping through snow into water-I've done enough of that! Glad YOU guys had a good time, though! I enjoyed your report.
fletcher is a sweet climb. the route is more obvious without snow. i've noticed that a lot of roach's alternative routes are not as easy as he makes them sound. i've descended a number of steep scree fields that are marked in his book as dashed-line routes and the descriptions don't mention sliding halfway down the slope on scree. always a good time though.
I've had similar experiences with Fletcher. Twice in winter conditions and once in August. We attempted the McGullough Gulch route in Roach's book the first time. He calls it Class 2+ but it's more like 3/4 when you factor in the ridge to Fletcher unless you descend a long ways. We bailed out that time. The second time we missed part of the route and got off route and bailed. The third time was this last June in winterish conditions and I finally made it.
I guess it just shows that even an 'easy' mountain can have some teeth.
Aaron Johnson - Oct 24, 2005 7:52 am - Hasn't voted
Trip Report CommentFletcher is often underestimated in the winter conditions. Surrounded by other mountains, snow accumilation can be considerable and it lingers longer, too. Still it's one of the most beautiful spots in the Ten Mile range. It's gorgeous there in spring and summer (and the mountain is easier to climb)! Slipping through snow into water-I've done enough of that! Glad YOU guys had a good time, though! I enjoyed your report.
crzyjt - Oct 25, 2005 12:15 am - Hasn't voted
Trip Report Commentfletcher is a sweet climb. the route is more obvious without snow. i've noticed that a lot of roach's alternative routes are not as easy as he makes them sound. i've descended a number of steep scree fields that are marked in his book as dashed-line routes and the descriptions don't mention sliding halfway down the slope on scree. always a good time though.
jrf - Oct 25, 2005 6:08 pm - Hasn't voted
Trip Report CommentI've had similar experiences with Fletcher. Twice in winter conditions and once in August. We attempted the McGullough Gulch route in Roach's book the first time. He calls it Class 2+ but it's more like 3/4 when you factor in the ridge to Fletcher unless you descend a long ways. We bailed out that time. The second time we missed part of the route and got off route and bailed. The third time was this last June in winterish conditions and I finally made it.
I guess it just shows that even an 'easy' mountain can have some teeth.
Charles - Oct 28, 2005 11:14 am - Hasn't voted
Trip Report CommentGood day out. Cheers Charles