Intermediate Alpine Climb - Observation Rock/North Face

Solid consolidated snow for the first 180 meters and then patchy ice and snow for the last 60 meters.  The consolidated snow makes for quick and easy movement.  The pickets are solid but it takes some work to pound them in.  Make sure to bring plenty of pickets and a tool with a hammer.  We placed our first screws three rope lengths from the base of the climb.  Some of the ice is a little soft so longer screws are generally better, though you will occasionally find bits of solid ice where a shorter screw would be OK.  The last 60 meters are slightly steeper than the lower part of the climb, there you'll finally be able to place some screws on lead and get some proper ice sticks and front pointing.  

The route is roughly four 60 meter rope lengths if you pitch it out from the rock band and use the full rope on every pitch.  Depending on skill and comfort level it's possible to simulclimb a ways as the route starts out on easier terrain (piolet canne and pied en canard), transitions to hybrid technique, and then finally to mildly steeper ice climbing (piolet traction and front pointing) for the last 60 meters.  We split the final pitch in half so both team members could lead on ice while placing screws.