Matterhorn Peak, CA - East Couloir

[@MrSolea191]

Great video (as always) .. Love your videos and your adventures .. Keep it up and stay safe!

[@summitsparrow]

Thanks! You too!

[@ruffrydazz2032]

Oh man, I passed you on your way down from this on Horsetail Falls trail about a mile up from Annette's! I was just hiking with my kid and you looked super tired. I have thought several times, "Man, I wish I had a Coke or a beer I could've given to that guy, looks like he had a real big day"

[@summitsparrow]

LOL no way! Small world! I'm always on these trails so say hi if you see me again. To me, this is a brutal hike, upwards of 5,000 feet of gain. I was glad to see civilization again when I got back to Annette's. As usual, I stumbled into that parking lot looking like absolute hell, but what a summit!

[@healthcoachadrian]

Would you say it’s easy enough for beginners? Not on a psychical level but technical wise

[@summitsparrow]

Yes I would. However I think you should be prepared to hike up a steep slope with crampons and an axe if going in the snow season (Spring/early Summer). If you've done Mt. Shasta's Avalanche Gulch route, I would say the incline is comparable to the Redbanks section at its steepest. A long day will be enough but two days will be a little more enjoyable in terms of pace. Routefinding is moderate. The rock section at the end is easy but highly enjoyable 3rd class.

[@healthcoachadrian]

Awesome! Some of my friends don’t have crampons. Would you suggest the traverse is easier for those with no crampons? I heard there is a “summer route” but I can’t seem to find it

[@summitsparrow]

@@healthcoachadrian Yes, you can go around to the South side, which is a class 2 slope in which case crampons would not be required. There is a trail as well, although I can't guarantee that it won't be snowcovered. The regular trail basically heads due East of Sawtooth Ridge/Matterhorn Peak and then wraps around the backside. AllTrails has a good description. There is also a mildly steep section to get out of the main basin, and that will be a challenge if snowcovered as well.