Climb Washington

Archived Photos

2009-03-01T11:01:00.001-08:00

I am slowly starting to add more and more photo galleries from the past. With the addition of CS4 to my software suite, this has become so much easier to do, and keep the photos in flash format so nobody can steal them.

If you are ever interested in a photo for a non commerical use, i would be happy to give you the rights to it.

The death of CAS

2009-03-01T10:57:00.000-08:00

Due to powers outside of my world, Cascade Alpine Sports had to be killed. Sorry to say, but prioroties, job and family always come first.

Until then, stay away from REI and support the real stores that have been around for the long haul. We sure will

Cascade Alpine Sports

2007-11-06T12:54:00.000-08:00

So it's been a long and righteous path, but it looks like the go live date for our new online gear store is right around the corner.

With the retirement of Quest Alb Mountaineering back in 2005, we have made some changes to the business model and are proud to make the annnouncement of our go live date of December 1, 2007.

More news coming soon..stay tuned, and don't forget to add the RSS feed to your google home page.

Berries on Sperry

2007-10-16T09:26:00.000-07:00

The blueberries were pretty good this weekend up in the Vesper Peak mountain arena. Sergio (www.sverdina.com) and I reunited for a climb up the South Ridge of Sperry Peak. I am very familiar with this area since I have hiked/scrambled up Vesper at least 4 times, and climbed the North Face one other time back in 03.

The South Ridge goes at 4th class, with a little 5th and lots of wrestling with snags and heather and lots of alpine vegetation. Fun climb, a good amount of exposure and a relaxed approach make this a good recommendation for all.

TR here

Rocktober: Damn, the Pow is coming down

2007-10-10T23:27:00.000-07:00

Rocktober: Damn, the Pow is coming down:

Can you believe it? Stories of 4-5 feet blower powder at higher elevations throughtout the Northwest. Sweet!

Stories of knee deep pow on the Muir Snowfield, then face shots on the Coleman Glacier on the north side of Mt Baker.

Just check out this link on TAY. Crazy!

Then Jason Hummel documented his Rocktober trip here along with some incredible shots (Some sweet B&W as well)

So with all these great TR's, I have no idea where to go this Sunday. With a ticket to ride, I think Sverdina and I might head for the Squak Glacier on Baker. I went there earlier this year with Chuck and had a good time, but I was hideously out of shape. Watch the video here. Now that I am at least joggin a few times a week for the past few months, it might help. We shall see, as you might read a TR on Monday with some deep face shots, or a bunch of mashed potatoe falls....

Newer Climbing Movie: Return 2 Sender

2007-09-28T09:31:00.000-07:00

Return 2 Sender
Starring Timmy O'Neill

Features:
Paralellojams: Crack mechanics smoke Indian Creek's hardest lines.
Freebird: MAN + ROCK - ROPE = Michael Reardon solos SoCal.
Bug Out: Cicada Jenerick's V10 at age 10!!
40 Days and 40 Nights: Epic 1st ascents on Greenland's granite walls.
Mexican BASE: Freefall "El Gigante" and "Cave of the Swallows".
Biscuit and Felix: A Jack Russell's coming of age (on the rock).
Prego: What goes up must come OUT. Pull 'till you pop.

All I can say is that is the best climbing movie I have seen thus far.
Timmy is hilarious, and keeps the movie going at all times. Lots of funny stunts and skits. His Indian Creek beat box rules.

The climbing: It's all climbing, alpine, trad and more. The only bouldering is a section featuring the 10 year old that is a total sendbot.

The music: rulez. No white boy rappers. Just good music. So stoked

www.return2sendermovie.com

11worth on the Fiftteenth

2007-09-20T23:37:00.000-07:00

Rallied in the Rabbit with Brent on Sunday and met up with Rafe in the Icicle. Hit up the WaffleHaus first then headed to Duty Dome for our 1st routes. Once we found it correctly (went left past Fish Wall which was wrong), we got on a 5.9. Rafe lead and we followed. Full 30m route, I cleaned and rapped. Always fun to rap a full route since you can't mess up the rope length.

I led the next route which was a 5.8 on Duty Dome. Got near the last bolt but could not find it. Lowered down, grabbed a few camalots and headed back up. Placed 2 under some bomber flakes and headed up for da chains. Felt good to be leading again, especially placing gear.

We then headed back down and grabbed an espresso milkshake and sandwich at the Gingerbread Factory. After a long wait we headed out for Givler's Crack. Rafe had been there before, but it was not working, and we could not find the entrance to the route for some dumb reason. We just wandered around on the dust and lame descent trail. So we headed down and climbed at Hammerhead Rock at the entrance of Clamshell Cave. I lead a lame 5.6 trad route and then we TR'd the 5.10 slab multiple times, fun route.

We then headed back down to Alphabet Rock and climbed a 5.10 route on TR. Damn hard climb (i'll get route names tomorrow once I find my guidebook again). By this time it was raining, so we headed out for Heidleburger and shakes and back to the rain showers on the west side.

Jogging and Biking

2007-08-27T12:46:00.001-07:00

I have been really trying to step up my physical exercise, since the deskjob and the cookies are not helping. 5.11's are few and far between these days, and I know I need to start now or else it will be 2x harder or more in 5+ years.

I have been jogging a minimum of 3 miles/day, trying to start slowly and get the knee used to the pounding, etc. It kind of hurt this morning,thus I will bike tomorrow morning.

It's amazing that I find myself excited in the morning, like I have been in the past when it is regarding a hike or a climb. I guess it's just an obcessive/compulsive behavior.

Tomorrow will be the bike, and I shoot for 10 miles minimum.

From Stuey to 11worth

2007-08-25T16:12:00.000-07:00

After weather thwarted our plans for Mt Stuart's West Ridge, we all decided to go cragging in 11worth instead. So Brent and his brother went to the Tieton River area, Sergio went to B.C., and Cody and I headed for Castle Rock.

Since we wanted to do a simple multi-pitch climb, I suggested, "Sabre" (5.4). A 2.5 pitch classic on Castle Rock that towers over the Lower Tumwater Canyon just minutes from 11worth off of Hwy 2.

We arrived to an almost empty parking lot (2 other cars) and headed up the trail. Upon arrival Cody realized he left his helmet in the car, so he got to jog back and back up. It didn't matter since there was a 3 person team that had just got on the route.

We found out later that there was a hornet's nest halfway up Pitch 1 on a ledge, just above the fixed piton. Cody got stung 3x as he just watched them sting him. He bypassed them pretty fast, and gained the Sabre ledge quickly and did a fine job of leading. I followed and realized just how difficult old school 5.4 can be, and happy that I did not lead the pitch (not much outdoor trad climbing for the past few years).

I was able to bypass the nest by traversing upder the ledge system and mantling up and onto the flake system. Cody led the 2nd pitch as well, with no issues except placing a #3 well out of my reach (he's taller) so I had to make a few odd moves to grab it and continue onward.

I took the last easy pitch of low 5th class, roping a tree, and placing a cam or 2 here and there. Set up the belay at the top, and then fumbled around trying to set up an auto lock belay with my reverso. I gave up and brought Cody up.

From there, we went to Heidleberger for some Bacon heli Burgers and Rockstars and made our way down the Icicle to Duty Dome. I was amazed how bad the trail was to Fish Wall, it must not see much traffic. We did all 3 routes (5.8+, 5.8+ and 5.9). Cody led all and then we headed out.

On our way out we stopped at Barney's rubble and cody led the 5.6 crack and TR'd the 5.8 off hands crack. We tried the 5.10 slab time and time again but it must be hella polished or something.......

Until the next time.......next year?

Pictures located here