O/E/L, I think my option 3 has morphed into your option 2. That is, the downhill hiker I described walked along the entire western edge to the point where he could cross straight-over to the 1st switchback.oleander wrote:Not sure I really "get" Option 3, though obviously it worked well for someone.
From your description, it sounds like people are dropping into the ravine itself (rather than walking along the western edge) to/from the 1st switchback.
Either way, I think we're all in agreement that the previous path to the very top of the ravine totally BLOWS. Not only is it a PITA, but it's also potentially dangerous.
PS I now know why Tom K told me in an email that the crossing was no big deal. I had asked him if he taken the high or low road, and he replied high. Now, I know he's a legend and all, but I thought even very experienced people wouldn't shrug off the sucky high ravine path so casually.
Since he mentioned he just followed the cairns, I can now guess that he took the 'high' route as you described it from the 1st switchback, rather than the original "HIGH" route from the point of the washout.
Don't you feel special that you & Mav were among the pioneers traversing the suck ass route? LOL