The West Buttress is a great route that follows the prominent buttress directly under the summit of Snowdon. The rock is of decent quality for the San Juans, but there is still plenty of loose stuff. The route starts off as a scramble and steepens as you get higher. Most parties will want to rope a couple hundred feet from the summit or it is possible to bypass the 4th class sections climbing through the gully just to the right of the Buttress.

West Buttress

South Rib via The Back Up Plan

South Ridge

Northeast Ridge

North Face

Slippery when wet, the North Face of Snowdon ascends low angle slabs & vertical / slightly overhanging steps.

This route ascends a crack up the south west face of Snowdon.  After 200 feet of 5.7ish climbing, you top out into the main south rib of Snowdon.  Continue up along the rib or traverse along the other ribs as you make your way up to the summit.  Pick your own line.  It is 4th and easy 5th but nothing harder than you choose after "the back up plan".  There is plenty of 3rd.

Scramble around a rib to the south, & ascend talus to the start of the ridge. A steep step is encountered early where the smaller west face couloir meets the ridge - bypass it to the right.

Once on the ridge, hike to the summit with some exposed scrambling. Near the top, it's easier to leave the ridge where it narrows at the top of the obvious couloir and traverse left and then up to the summit.

West Buttress

Description

Location

Protection

Routes in Snowdon Peak