In reply to angelo angelilli:
We were planning on doing the Cassin route but ended up having to do the North Ridge due to the difficult access that year because of snow and ice conditions( we didn't have crampons with us). Looking at the route from the N Ridge it was getting a lot of traffic that day and seemed a really nice route.
We simul climbed the N Ridge and then abseiled back down it the same day. You can walk off the back. We were fast on the ascent with a slightly late start (7.30-8.00am at the foot of the climb) and av on the descent and still didn't get back to the hut before dark.
The descent tends to follow the left side of the ridge looking down. Do not be tempted to slide off to the right towards the cassin route. Even with the extra snow at the base we encountered very little snow higher up even at the Summit.
The North Ridge is a wonderful climb mostly at severe with a couple of V.S. pitches and would recommend it to anyone.
