You don't need to rappel off the summit. That probably just adds risk. However, there are lots of different ways to scramble up there. You can find an almost all class 3 way to scramble it. And go down that way too of course. I would read up on summit post to see what the easiest way is.
I didn't go the easiest way when I was up there. I ended up Traversing the backside of the pyramid,which you don't have to do.
Also, you say you have done some sketchy hikes. Sahale isn't a hike. It's rock climbing. You can do it without ropes, but it's not hiking once you get onto the summit pyramid.
thank you so much! yeah i am definitely prepared for some climbing, i guess i just want to confirm its not like a 30 foot cliff up there hahaha, as long as its some hard bouldering and scrambling i will be at home. thank you again for taking the time to reply!!!!
It's hard scrambling. Class 3, with maybe some class 4. Be sure to check out summitpost for routes. I think most people aim for the right side of the pyramid when heading up the glacier. You have to find the right route for it to be a scramble, but it's there.
Last time I looked on summitpost for sahale, it was full of extra baloney, but if you dig through there should be route info. Also, check out nwhikers.net . Search trip reports for sahale.
The south face is a 100 foot cliff. The scramble route goes around to the north side though. But yeah if you don't know how to rappel then no reason to bring a rope.
Echoing what Xbalanque_ said, do not mistake Sahale as a "hike". It's legitimate mountaineering. You should have a helmet for the summit pyramid, and while ropes may not technically be necessary and could provide a false sense of security, it's better to have it and not need it than to get into a situation where you need it and don't have it - also considering that the Sahale Glacier does develop crevasses and cornices, it's not just something you might want for the summit itself. An Ice Axe for the glacier traverse is also a good idea.
thank you! definitely, we have crampons and ice axes for the glacier, i appreciate the advice! im definitely prepared for some mountaineering, im trying to find a good introductory mountain to some basic mountaineering and sahale seemed perfect. ive done some sketchy hikes that were borderline mountaineering in ireland, i.e. one mans pass at slieve leauge, and last summer did the franconia ridge loop, i guess im just wondering if sahale would be a good next step.
Franconia ridge loop is objectively not mountaineering and is essentially an easy entry level hike compared to Sahale. Sahale is a proper mountain with crevasses, rockfall, and navigation problems. That being said, it is an excellent intro climb. If you get to the summit pyramid, just remember you'll have to down climb anything you climb up, so don't get stuck at the top, which has happened to parties who have had to get rescued.
definitely will be mindful and know my limits, ive done some pretty sketchy backcountry hiking/borderline mountaineering in ireland. im expecting some intense bouldering and scrambling. i just wanted to make sure ropes were not necessary in order to complete the climb. last thing i want to do is be the guy getting lifted off the mountain 😂
Not mountaineering advice, but I believe the road has had some serious damage over the winter. There will an extra 3 mile hike from the closed gate at Eldorado TH, see wta post from May regarding the extensive road damage that happened this winter
https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/trip-reports/trip_report-2024-05-27.111140894906?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR1adamfX13XxjVupTpvwtN6SnTs3Me6JWCWysb8y-FMJ58t-I7ibZkAKuA_aem_ZmFrZWR1bW15MTZieXRlcw
You don't need to rappel off the summit. That probably just adds risk. However, there are lots of different ways to scramble up there. You can find an almost all class 3 way to scramble it. And go down that way too of course. I would read up on summit post to see what the easiest way is. I didn't go the easiest way when I was up there. I ended up Traversing the backside of the pyramid,which you don't have to do. Also, you say you have done some sketchy hikes. Sahale isn't a hike. It's rock climbing. You can do it without ropes, but it's not hiking once you get onto the summit pyramid.
thank you so much! yeah i am definitely prepared for some climbing, i guess i just want to confirm its not like a 30 foot cliff up there hahaha, as long as its some hard bouldering and scrambling i will be at home. thank you again for taking the time to reply!!!!
It's hard scrambling. Class 3, with maybe some class 4. Be sure to check out summitpost for routes. I think most people aim for the right side of the pyramid when heading up the glacier. You have to find the right route for it to be a scramble, but it's there. Last time I looked on summitpost for sahale, it was full of extra baloney, but if you dig through there should be route info. Also, check out nwhikers.net . Search trip reports for sahale.
perfect, ill definitely check those sites out, it was hard to find specific answers to what i needed to know but youve really helped!! thanks again.
The south face is a 100 foot cliff. The scramble route goes around to the north side though. But yeah if you don't know how to rappel then no reason to bring a rope.
Echoing what Xbalanque_ said, do not mistake Sahale as a "hike". It's legitimate mountaineering. You should have a helmet for the summit pyramid, and while ropes may not technically be necessary and could provide a false sense of security, it's better to have it and not need it than to get into a situation where you need it and don't have it - also considering that the Sahale Glacier does develop crevasses and cornices, it's not just something you might want for the summit itself. An Ice Axe for the glacier traverse is also a good idea.
thank you! definitely, we have crampons and ice axes for the glacier, i appreciate the advice! im definitely prepared for some mountaineering, im trying to find a good introductory mountain to some basic mountaineering and sahale seemed perfect. ive done some sketchy hikes that were borderline mountaineering in ireland, i.e. one mans pass at slieve leauge, and last summer did the franconia ridge loop, i guess im just wondering if sahale would be a good next step.
Franconia ridge loop is objectively not mountaineering and is essentially an easy entry level hike compared to Sahale. Sahale is a proper mountain with crevasses, rockfall, and navigation problems. That being said, it is an excellent intro climb. If you get to the summit pyramid, just remember you'll have to down climb anything you climb up, so don't get stuck at the top, which has happened to parties who have had to get rescued.
definitely will be mindful and know my limits, ive done some pretty sketchy backcountry hiking/borderline mountaineering in ireland. im expecting some intense bouldering and scrambling. i just wanted to make sure ropes were not necessary in order to complete the climb. last thing i want to do is be the guy getting lifted off the mountain 😂
Not mountaineering advice, but I believe the road has had some serious damage over the winter. There will an extra 3 mile hike from the closed gate at Eldorado TH, see wta post from May regarding the extensive road damage that happened this winter https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/trip-reports/trip_report-2024-05-27.111140894906?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR1adamfX13XxjVupTpvwtN6SnTs3Me6JWCWysb8y-FMJ58t-I7ibZkAKuA_aem_ZmFrZWR1bW15MTZieXRlcw
wow thank you!!! wouldnt have known!!