Route:  Cutthroat, West Ridge
Climbed:  October 2, 1999


Approach: Park by road below the meadows S. of Cutthroat peak.  At the
east end of this pull off there is a section of denser trees.  At the
west end of these trees is the start of a trail through the brush,
marked by chairns.  Hike the trial up into the basin south of the
peak.  Follow one of several gullies to the large notch at the base of
the west ridge.

Climbing: From the notch, traverse along the base of the south face of
the west ridge for 100 ft. to a blocky gullie that leads straight up
to the ridge crest.  Scramble/climb the gully.  At the top, climb a
chimbney then step on to a ledge with rap station anchored by 2
petons.  A mid 5th class move from this ledge leads to easier
scrambling above.  Run the ridge, exposed at end, to the base of the
summit.  (The WSW face presents several cracks which Becky rates at
5.7.  Finish to summit unclear.)  Traverse the obvious ledge on N side
to N Ridge.  Climb an easy pitch then scramble to summit.

Descent: Here are two options I know of.  It is very feasable to rap
the N ridge and cross the ledge back to the west base of the summit
block.  Or, you can rap off the west side of the summit, across
several ledges and down crest (stay just on the N side) to the west
base of the summit block.  Double ropes reach, rope may stick on
ledges.  From there climb back down ridge.  Single rope rap
from tree takes you to the peton ledge.  Double rope rap takes you to
the base of the gully. 



[Route description written by Tom Unger]