Hidden Gully 
(with center finish, Super Classic!)

Location:  Smuggler's Notch, VT

Grade:  WI3

Length:  5-6 pitches, almost 1000'

FA:  Dave Cass and Phil Koch.

Description:  Follow narrow snow gully starting from small pulloff on the west side of the road 100' south of the top of the notch. This gully leads directly to the start of the route. Two long pitches or three shorter ones lead to a wide ice amphitheatre above a snowfield. WI 3. There are four possible finishes (including descending into easy gully to the climbers R. from here), the longest and best being the center of the three obvious ice flows. Another 2-3 long pitches of WI3 follow a narrow gully to the top.  season: Normally not one of the first routes in the notch to come in, but a consistent former usually by early December. The first pitch can run heavily, so a warm spell can melt out the first 20 feet, barring access to the rest. If this is the case, it is possible to rock climb past a couple fixed pins from the left. rack: normal rack of screws, a sparse rock rack with a pin or two can be helpful.

Descent:  Hike up and right, hopefully joining the bear pond trail, which leads to the large gully above Grand Confusion, then right into Easy Gully. If this trail is missed, descend the gully/streambed leading into Jeff's slide, escaping right into the woods to avoid plummeting down the route. Yes, the descent is as complicated as it sounds, but at least it's taking you closer to your car if you parked on the Jeffersonville side of the Notch. Either way, you'll want to make sure and carry all your gear up the route with you!

Information supplied by Dave Furman