Currently, of the 8 fourteener finishers, 5 have used this same route. Ted Mahon’s route required both belayed skiing and rappels. Lou skied on belay to “K2”, and then had to climb up and over “K2” before switching back to skis. Davenport had to stop in mid descent, switch to crampons, climb back up a short distance, and then switch back to skis. In other words, no descent of Capitol has been exceptionally “clean” with top to bottom skiing.

If rappelling negates the ability to claim a descent of a peak, then the Grand Teton still awaits its’ first descent…

An excellent ride, but there was a rappel on the descent. I didn’t realize that Davenport or Dawson did rappels on their descents of this peak. If they did not, then this descent is not done in a similar or better style than the first descents, and although admirable, should not be counted as a complete descent. Does anyone know if Davenport/Dawson rappelled, or if there are fixed standards for claiming descents in the sport?