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Mt. Williwaw
by Robert Frank, Scree 1/82
Charlie Sassara and I did a very satisfying winter solstice ascent of Mt. Williwaw NW ridge. We left town at 2:00 a.m. and experienced some severe attitude problems as we postholed across Campbell S. Fork drainage. We arrived in Williwaw Valley in time to study the face and ridge. Out of the sack at midnight and climbing by two, we again experienced some awesome lack of enthusiasm and waited for first light to start the ridge. Our progress through deep unconsolidated snow and over rocks encrusted with atmospheric ice was closely monitored by several dozen ravens early on the ridge. Virtually the entire ridge proved interesting and challenging. Our two-roped pitches got us through a particularly airy section using natural protection.
We arrived at the summit at 1:00. We were happy to be back in camp for a daylight dinner - we discussed the joys of 16-hour forced bivouacs.
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