Description

The Sluice is a combination of Right Gully and The Lip, it is quite steep and is cliff bound on both sides.

The main body of the chute is about the same width as Right Gully, at the top it splits into 2 narrow chutes before connecting with the Alpine Garden.

Both of these are more or less the same thing so It doesn’t matter which you choose.

The Sluice is easy to locate because it’s between Right Gully and The Lip, and it’s also directly above the Lunch Rocks.

Sluice is not as popular so you won’t run into many people on the ascent.

As you are climbing The Sluice, you will notice a large icefall known as “Sluice Ice”, it is important to remain vigilant because ice can come tumbling off it at any time.

Once you are in the chute itself, you are out of the exposed zone.

The Sluice typically takes 45 minutes to an hour to climb.

From where you put your skis on, you can’t see down the chute, but as soon you drop in the whole line comes into view.

The pitch immediately steepens to 50+ degrees.

Proceed carefully down the narrow section, a full here would be especially consequential due to the Lunch Rocks being right below you.

After about 40 feet the 2 chutes merge into 1, There is now plenty of room for turns.

Continue down the the bottom of the bowl, don’t stop above the Lunch Rocks to avoid exposure to falling ice and slides.

Although they are similar, The Sluice is a significant step up from Right Gully, just because you can ski Right Gully does not necessarily mean you are ready for The Sluice.

If you get to the top and you aren’t feeling up to it, hike over to Right Gully or Lobster Claw via the Alpine Garden.