ROUTE OPTIONS_Selwyn Ledges

Important Note: Selwyn Ledges is an historical route, but has changed with glacial recession. It currently offers a probable simpler, albeit, not necessarily safer route to access or egress the Deville Icefield. Historically speaking, it has been done at times with a snowpack (spring) and without (spring/summer/fall). If there is sufficient snowpack depth, then it can likely be fairly straightforward, but without a sufficient snowpack, there may be ice and rock present. Selwyn Ledges has recently been used for access and egress of the Deville Icefield instead of the historical Deville Chimney or Deville Headwall Rappels. The author personally knows two parties that have ascended it in spring and one party that descended in spring. The ascent parties had no difficulty and were able to bootpack up the slope. The descent party did one lower off an ice anchor until it was established that the line could be safely skied. No other difficulties were encountered. These two options are big time-savers in comparison to the other two routes on the headwall, especially the rappels as well as possibly needing less equipment (group size dependant). Note the high exposure to avalanches from Mount Fox. Be certain there is good snow stability and move fast!