North East Ridge

This ridge is used either to access Elie de Beaumont when the Anna Glacier is cut off, or as a descent option after climbing the East Face. Previously, this ridge had good snow cover and straightforward travel almost year-round. However, over the last few years, because of its northern aspect the snow starts to ablate back to bare rock by early summer. There can be up to 150m of rock to descend or climb. If en-route to Elie, only commit to descending if you’re comfortable climbing grade 12–14 to get back up.
Heading north east from the summit of Mt Walter, the ridge is initially a fairly level, exposed snow arête. The ridge then becomes truncated as it drops down to the Elie-Walter col – i.e. it broadens out to form a vague triangular face above the broad col. The route stays near the true left side of this face, near the edge of the Spencer Face of Walter. A combination of abseiling and downclimbing will get you down without too much hassle. In dry conditions, don’t use the other side, down the edge of Mt Walter’s East Face – the rock is rotten there.
If climbing the ridge from the Elie-Walter col, start on the right side and follow your nose.