The second time I attempted to climb the East Groin, (I didn't succeed until the third attempt) I paused at this solitary boulder on the slope. It is taller than me. While the slope is shallower than the angle of repose, the bedrock is close to the surface and it is covered by a thin mantle of loose rock making uphill progress nearly impossible. Add to that the fact that I had a 30 or 35 lb battery, a weather station including a 10 foot pole to hold the wind bird, and some warmer clothes and there was no way that I could safely ascend further. The next day I found a better route to the top that is to the left of this picture. It was just as steep but it had some natural pathways created by frost wedges.