OMG! This accident sure hits home! I just crossed Jigsaw Pass a month ago, and recall the ascent to be unpleasant to say the least. But only about 20 feet of the route (via the easiest way) seems to be really dangerous.
We climbed up the pass from Bishop Pass direction. Just getting to the base of the pass was bad enough - we had to cross an endless sea of huge boulders and there was little sign of the old mule trail to help out in navigation. We started the final climb in the right hand gulley as recommended in guidebooks. Loose but not dangerous talus here. About a third of the way up, we veered out of the gulley to the firm rock to the right, where the climbing was pleasant and safe. All too soon this rock steepened and we traversed left back into the gully (at a spot marked by a cairn). Here we encountered the most dangerous spot on the ascent. The gulley dropped off below in a clifflike step. I had to use a boulder as a step to gain the continuation of the gully, and spent some time testing its security before moving up. I wonder if that boulder was the one that let loose in the accident?
Above the boulder step, the gulley was reasonably safe if a bit steep and we gained the pass without incident. However, I probably won't ever return this way again. It is unbelievable that a mule trail used to cross this pass!
