Entrance couloir fixed

Greg called last night for a weather report and to say that the guides had climbed the initial couloir of the West Rib and fixed ropes for the team to move up today if conditions allow. The couloir is steep and usually icy, so Jared and Greg clipped a separate rope into ice screws or snow pickets which the team can clip their rope ascenders into as a backup as they climb to prevent any slips from becoming falls- this will allow the climbers to move quickly and safely onto the West Rib proper. Greg said 'all is well' and the climbers got a rest day as the guides fixed rope- their camp is in a sheltered spot of the northeast fork looking right at the couloir and is well away from the crowds of the West Buttress. Tonight's phone call will tell if everything went well in the couloir, so stay tuned tomorrow for more updates..