The Maze

[neiloro]

Yes, we dropped our packs and headed up. Some of us called it a third of the way up. lostlandscapes and I continued to the base of the chocolate drops. If you are a climber, it is fine, but if not, or if you are carrying a pack it can be quite sketchy. I would not have done it with a pack. There are moves with lots of exposure. lostlandscapes, would you agree?

 

[Nick]

I was amongst those that chose not to proceed. If it were part of a one-way route, either up or down, I would have done it. I think I'd prefer up, and I intend to make that into part of a larger route someday, continuing along the chocolate drops ridge to the land of standing rocks. How cool would it be to fill up with water and go camp on that ridge?? I just didn't like the risk just to go up and right back down. Packs wouldn't be a problem with a handline.

There are quite a few pictures of the spot where we turned around in this part of my trip report:
http://backcountrypost.com/forum/index.php?threads/the-maze-overlook-and-jasper-ridge.909/

 

[Nick]

Some photos...

The first sketchy spot that all of us did go up:

The next sketchy spot that only part of the group went up. This was the worst of it, right guys?

 

[lostlandscapes]

Yes, we dropped our packs and headed up. Some of us called it a third of the way up. lostlandscapes and I continued to the base of the chocolate drops. If you are a climber, it is fine, but if not, or if you are carrying a pack it can be quite sketchy. I would not have done it with a pack. There are moves with lots of exposure. lostlandscapes, would you agree?

Yes. You'd either want to be completely pack-free, or carry a 20-30' rope for lowering/raising packs if thru-hiking. The rope could also be used for a belay if anyone felt the need.

 

[lostlandscapes]

The next sketchy spot that only part of the group went up. This was the worst of it, right guys?

Yeah, this is definitely the crux of the route. After this point heading up, there a few other sketchy, somewhat exposed places, but nothing like this, and nothing that can't be easily defeated with a partner assist and pack lowering/raising.

Definitely wouldn't want to do this route solo.