Sierra Nevada Mountains - Snow & Ice in the "U" Notch                 timberlinetrails.net
Photo by David French
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The Snow Chute
that leads up to
the
"U" notch - is
a 45 degree snow and
ice section that climbers
use to gain the
prominent notch
between
North Palisade
and
Polemonium Peak.

The climber in the photo
to the right is examining
the bergschrund (the
crevice that separates
the Palisade glacier
from the granite walls of
the Palisade massif).

Ice ax, crampons, and
experience are required
for anyone attempting
to gain the southwest
side of the North
Palisade from the main
Glacier.
We also carry a rope for support when climbing this Class 4 section of the Palisade crest. The climb from the base of the notch starts
at 13,200 feet and ends at 13,920, making this a 720 vertical foot climb. Gaining access to the chute over the Palisade bergschrund
is often the crux, and as you can see, the start is definitely steeper than 45 degrees. Two ice axes can be used to get over this
section of the climb.

       For some cool aerial views of this section of the Sierra Nevada, check out the below links.

                                                           AERIAL VIEW OF NORTH PALISADE AREA        

                               
AERIAL VIEW OF CLIMBING POLEMONIUM PEAK INCLUDING U NOTCH SECTION