As we approached the ridge, trying to circumvent the crevasses to get to the left side of the ridge (as advised by Bill Sumner), the complexity of the crevasse systems increased. We spent a great deal of time jumping over them and belaying across snow bridges. Finally, it appeared that one last large crevasse blocked our way. I removed my pack and climbed down into the crevasse to a snow bridge inside, then hacked hand and foot holds up the other side (all with a belay from Bob, of course). After pulling the packs across, I belayed Bob. This was the final major difficulty getting to the ridge. We wound up several hundred feet from the base and had to descend a bit to get onto it.