Sol

Jonathan Siegriest has called WWI one of the best walls in the states, no doubt its prolly the highest quality, most stacked, sport wall in WA.

The crags Blake mentioned, Little Si, Spokane limestone, and deinetly try to make it to Smith Rock while your in the area. Some randomly good sport in Ltown with Rattlesnake Rock and the Drip Wall topping the list.

Bouldering and Hangboarding. Short quality workouts as often as your body will allow.

Strong effort gentlemen! That sounds like Joe Cannata to me. A great boss, good friend, and one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet. He's employed a number of local climbers up at the 59er, stop by and give him some business if your in the area.

Grant Gunderson Blog

That's Awesome! Looks like a great route and a wonderful day.

BUMP!

Nice to see a little ice stoke this season.

Jens Holsten will be giving a slideshow on new routes in Patagonia on March 13th in Leavenworth, WA at the Ski Hill Lodge. The event is being hosted by the newly forming Leavenworth Mountain Association and will be preceded by the Association's 2nd official meeting. Meeting from 7ish - 745 Slideshow promptly at 8 The LMA is trying to raise enough money to apply for non-profit incorporation: Beer will be available for donation to those of age, and there will be a silent auction/raffle of a pile of awesome gear (climbing shoes, harness, etc..) just in time for spring climbing. Hope to see lots of folks out there, it should be a great event!! LMA Blog for more info Directions to the Ski Hill Lodge

Looking back it seems like you guys "really enjoyed the East Face" so nevermind my comments. One thing that might be worth mentioning is that Martins and myself approached from the west side/suiattle river road. Whether that approach is still feasible with road and trail closures im not sure. Nonetheless it was a very dramatic if exhausting way to access the range. Out of the forest and into the Ptarmigan Traverse high country, up and over dome, a traverse of the chikamin glacier, and then a bivy below the west face of the gunsight range with nightly simultaneous sunset-moonrise over the chikamin. Pretty classic scenario and something you dont get from the "easier" approach from the east side/stehekin.

Great shot John! That link brings back some great memories. I had a blast in the Gunsight Range, my first first ascent. Been meaning to get back there on that free West Face ever since. The East Face as written in Nelson's select guide is gone, it's fallen off the mountain. A couple susequent parties loved our new East Face route. Another couple parties maybe not so much. But it seems like the approach and the north cascades weather might have gotten to them. It's not the biggest chunk of rock with the longest routes, but there some fine splitter granite out there, amazing views, and plenty of adventure to be had if you look around.

Sweet outing guys! That overhanging rock looks pretty damn futuristic for Ltown... a bit enticing.

Thanks lazyalpinist, psyched on the new pad.

More than two miles in from the boundary line (and I am being generous) Yes, I am sure and I have verified my gut feeling by referencing current maps. That sucks. Might've been worth it to stop the guys and make sure they knew they were in violation. Remind them that actions like their's could jeporadize access for everyone.

How far from the boundary line where they and are you sure?

Chalk it up to a young age and being new in the sport. It's a dangerous pursuit and there's no way around that. Climb/ski long enough and you will have friends die in the hills.

Nice work yet again Dan!

Great job guys! Nice to see Jens get to utilize some sno-mo access, he's done that hike in from the icicle way too many times. Up next...DOE?

Cilogear 30L or 45L. The marmot and the mountain hardwear packs you listed seem pretty good, decent weight, not too many gimmick features, but your just not going to get the versatility with those packs as you are with the Cilo Worksack (like stripping the pack down to a 1.6 lb. summit pack and customizing the compression strapping to accommodate any type of item or configuration you desire).

If it's sunny at vantage 36 is plenty warm.

Great photos, looks like one hell of an ice climb!

Sweet!!

WOW!! Sounds like a full value adventure! Impressive.