hanman

Trip: Hell's Canyon - Many Date: 5/15/2009 Trip Report: Here's a long delayed TR from May 09- My friend Stephen and I went to Hell's Canyon at the urging of Shapp. I had stopped there the previous year with the family on the way to COR. While not really on the way to COR, I'm glad we went because the place is really unique. In the course of our 4 day trip, we met many of the developers who were some of the nicest folks I've ever met. Brimming with beta and passion for the place, they steered us towards great climbs. A guide either online or printed is in the works for the many HUNDREDS of routes here. Snake river winding through the canyon, and bullet limestone everywhere. This is the view from Borate wall looking down on the Big Bar campground. One of the many awesome features of the area is the South Face of he Flatiron- home of many sweet steep sprot climbs. Due to the heat we did not climb here, but will be going back for more in the fall. The Allison Creek trail is across from the campground, and gets to Kilowatt Wall in about 5 minutes- this is no Cascades approach... Excellent 5.8 on upper Kilowatt Wall Stephen on Pokemon .10c/d- fossilized barnacle climbing at it's best Borate Wall, lots of excellent .10's on clean clean stone A nice .10a on lower Kilowatt Wall More Borate fun Me on Longer Than It Looks 5.9+? Excellent climb Kilowatt Wall from across the valley On Kilowatt Wall, a Mark Hauter FA- stout and a bit runout- probably our favorite outing of the trip New friend Jane on Allison Creek 5.8- real fun pockets and scoops to steep bulge at top High Voltage P1 Jane at top of Longer Than it Looks Fish Cave Borate wall right side Hazards might include this baby rattler and COPIOUS amounts of poison ivy in the gulches More High Voltage Awesome Corderoy Textures abundant We'll definately be going back in the fall when temps cool and the hellish rain starts again around W Wa M. Hanna Gear Notes: Sunscreen, 60 meter rope, small rack, lotza draws, beer Approach Notes: 7.5 hour drive from Seattle, Various 10 min to 45 min

Good to see people getting out there; Romantica being uphill from the main crag is subject to big slides in the winter that result in varying "trail conditions". Having not been past the arete climb (Heavens to Mergatroid) this season, it's probably best to step left here about 100 feet and work up the least brushy path through the vine maple. Not much fun but worth the effort. Romantica starts 40 feet right of the major waterfall dihedral(water all year). Have fun! M. Hanna

Wow- that is good- nice to see folks getting out. Thanks for the brush work as well- MH

Hey there Catbird- long time no see- Erocktica descent is best done by raps. While vertical moss fest lovers would enjoy the traverse to the walk off, the consequences of a fall are somewhat severe :: It does go to the top, but I don't know the rating (perhaps 5.8?) MH

Thanks to all that have helped up there! Excuse the relatively low fi info, but it should suffice to get one pointed in the right direction. While a bit further to get to than than the typical DTown stuff, it has it's own character, with steeper terrain on well featured gneiss the norm. Keep in mind that these are not sport routes, gear is required on nearly all pitches established thus far. Have fun and climb safe- Mark Hanna

We had an excellent time in Hell- TR w/ photos to come soon... MH

I was up there a couple weeks ago, encountered snow before asbestos creek, and the ranger says there are biggish rocks across road at the drainage. Also, FS 49 is driveable about 2 1/2 miles in at this point. MH

Trip: Lake 22 - NW Chutes Date: 2/8/2009 Trip Report: Photo TR- Good trip out with friend Nasco 2 weeks ago- Perhaps mods could delete prior post that did't link? Gear Notes: 2 pickets, few screws, ice hook, 2 ropes to rap, 3 HB small offsets, 2 pins (LA/KB) Approach Notes: Well packed trail

Hey all- I tried to post a TR today in N Cascades section, it allowed all input, then I hit submit. Only the post heading is up on the board, but no connection if I clicky. Excuse my foolishness, but what have I done?? Perhaps a competent moderator type could repair? Thanks in advance, Mark (hanman)

Thanks all- MH

Anyone know of WI to dos in the Mission Range (near Polson)?- Have sled, will travel.... MH

I was at the same meeting and agree with Matt's perception of the general attitude towards recreational interests from the DNR reps on this specific issue. Hard to imagine from such a forward looking group. And I quote from DNR's website: "Our Mission To provide professional, forward-looking stewardship of our state lands, natural resources, and environment. To provide leadership in creating a sustainable future for the Trusts and all citizens. Our Principles In achieving our mission, the following principles guide all DNR employees: Enduring Stewardship Visionary Leadership Inclusive Decision-Making Creative Solutions Respectful Relationships Our Vision At DNR, we envision a future in which our human and natural environment provides abundant and diverse social, ecological, and economic benefits for all the people of Washington, in this and all future generations. In acting to ensure this vision, we achieve sustainability " MH

Here is a link to the FERC relicensing documents and DNR Morning Star NRCA information. Static is mentioned in the FERC docs as a recreational resource, but the access and stone are clearly DNR territory that is slated for less user interaction as part of a larger plan. Most of the recreation interests/reports related to the hydro project are white-water/flow release issues Mark Hanna SnoPud Jackson Hydro FERC DNR Morning Star NRCA

Trip: Exfoliation Dome - Solaris Date: 8/23/2008 Trip Report: Went up to Solar Wall last saturday- lots of fun. Did pitches 1-4, which was alot considering I felt like crap and my partner Stephen is under Dr's orders not to move his back for 3 months Pitch 1: Skinny out a broken ledge, 5.7 corners steepen and reqire a few A1 moves, followed by a nice 5.7 finger crack. Move belay out left. 165 feet Pitch 2: Strenuous and continuous 5.9+ OW/off fist crack punishes for a full 160 feet. Glad I did'nt have to lead that one.... Pitch 3: Bolt ladder up a blank steep headwall to access excellent thin seam dihedral with tiny nuts, the occasional bolt, and awesome exposure. 155 feet Pitch 4: Another tight seam dihedral arches up and left to a comfy belay ledge.80 feet Rapped the route- all belay stations are fat SS bolts w/ Fixe chains. Gear Notes: Wall rack to #5 Camalot, very tiny wires and small pin rack if going all the way. Approach Notes: Trail has some windfall and once in the basin, a large rock avalanch from the NW summit has bomb blasted the talus field with loose shards and significant debris. Passable but not fun.Water was available in the gully below the route

Ben and Tim- We were the party with the packs and bivy gear (Mark and James). Even with lite bags we were cold on the nice bivy platform about 400 feet below summit. Good call staying put for the evening though, that descent would not be fun dizzy or in the dark... What an excellent climb!

Anyone been up to BF recently? Log crossing over river? Thanks in advance- MH

We were one of the parties on Dreamer yesterday- great day on the hill. The approach road has been fairly obliterated by trees and general jungle hell. We walked in from the 8 mile TH. It is also worth noting that the boulder wash approach is marked by a cairn and features a neat hands and knees sub canopy birthing sequence. Quite memorable, 10 minutes with a saw is in order MH

I can honestly say that that work party was a large helping of suck- Gear: One Husquavarna to 24 Thanks to all who participated- Tree removal on the Blueberry road and the first part of Eight mile trail to begin soon- stay tuned... MH

Looks similar to the cobbles up at Big 4 NE tower MH

I was up there Sunday- Looks like snow pile has melted enough to drive over, then trees across road before Asbestos Creek. Chainsaw required- Post up if you make a dent in the lumber- i'll likely be up there again soon M. Hanna

The hike to 3:00 Rock is about 11 miles RT. Road bed appears intact for a higher clearance vehicle with some effort and chainsaw action just as bradeleneis mentioned. The continuation to Green Giant looked rather covered in windfall, and the Blueberry Hill spur may have lots of new debris under the 23rd Psalm drainage where it crosses the road (viewed from across the valley). Interestingly, Clear Creek has a big log jam I've never seen before, just to the west of the Witch Dr wall approach spur. All in all- not too bad for the record snowfalls- MH

Trip: Darrington - Cornucopia, The Kone, Broad Daylight Date: 5/24/2008 Trip Report: Friend James and I decided to take a couple mtn bikes up the Clear Creek 2060 road to see conditions and hopefully prove the forecasters wrong by climbing warm sunny granite. The initial slide path near Frog Lake: After many variations of throwing, dragging, and kicking of bikes over downed trees, we decided to ditch the wheels and hoof it from Asbestos Creek. Soon we were able to view Exfoliation Dome in the morning sunlight- what a sight- Easy road hiking was quickly replaced by up to several feet of slush A real treat in my lite mesh trail runners Near the culvert at 8 Mile creek: The trail that starts in an old roadbed has hundreds of blow downs carefully laid in a manner to cause much gnashing of teeth. The lower section will need quite a bit of work to restore. Billy Bob the Dog was pleased to end the torture at the base of 3:00 Rock: We climbed Cornucopia, The Kone, and Til Broad Daylight- 8 pitches in all- 75 degree sunny all day! Looks like the avy path will melt out in a few weeks, anyone up for a chainsaw party? MH

Frog Lake is within a mile or so of the Mountain Loop. Many miles - 9 -10? back to GGB from Frog Lake. MH

Went up to check status of 2060 Clear Creek road, that which approaches 3:00 Rock, Green Giant Buttress, and Exfoliation Dome. About a mile in at what is typically a very small avy trough, some 25 foot deep of deposited snow and debris covered approximately 250 feet of road. Considering that this is usually one of the minor chutes, I would guess that the other 3 or 4 slide paths you encounter in the remaining miles will be of significant volume and potential damage to the road bed. Unsure what this means for access to the area this summer and beyond, but I thought I would update the report....

Bumpity Bump-