hohm

Check your PM

To Drederek....I think old fartism officially begins somewhere around 50....I know because I am getting close and I feel it getting nearer. BTW, where is OW quarry?

I just started getting out on the rock again after a 3 year haitus, and it seems as though everyone out there is well, sort of "youthful"... Its not as though I dont enjoy climbing with younger folks, but it would be nice to meet some people still climbing hard who are more my age. Where are all the old farts?

Yup,, gotta be Erie. Nothing else close comes close....

Stavrogin, I dont know about Sunset Slabs at Larabee, but Sunset Slabs at Erie is pretty much beginner territory. And yes, classes are often taught there, due to the abundance of fixed anchors and low angle climbs. There are a couple of interesting lines on the South Slab though, moderate and pretty clean.

Mt. Erie has a number of 5.8-5.9 bolted routes, if you dont mind wandering around the mountain to locate them. Powerline wall is probably your best bet, also the Orange Wall (for 5.10) and Shady Hollow.

Once again, I have had any desire to climb Johannesburg completely quenched by a trip report. Great description of reality!

There was a young climber named Judy A genuine alpinist cutie, When she glissaded, The ropeteams all waited, Watching her slide on her bootie.

Climb Dreamer twice....

Very true about the waiting holes above the Kautz. We had the second on our rope disappear in an instant down a deep one, fortunately we retrieved him unhurt about 30 minutes later. Stay roped until the summit, and stay safe!

Yes, Larabee does have a couple of nice, albeit short cracks. The one called "sand in your crack" in the above post is fun, and can be has hard as mid 5.10 (variation) as long as you dont mind the rain of grit. About Oyster Dome....there are actually at least half a dozen nice 5.10ish sport climbs there, and a couple of harder ones. And the slanting trad route up the left side (5.7) is a kick, especially if one continues to the top of the dome. And yes, the views from the top all the way to Victoria are killer...

Oyster dome is about 45 minutes uphill from Chuckanut Drive, and the parking is about 6 miles south of Larabee State Park. It is the huge hunk of stone hanging on top of Chuckanut Mountain, and the climbs start above the infamous Bat Caves (follow the signs). There are several trad climbs on the lower face, and some nice bolted routes on the upper face. Its not exactly "roadside cragging" though, so make sure you have a few hours to devote to the experience.

Frankly, the roped climbing at Larabee is mediocre at best, unless you like sandy slabs, but the bouldering is not bad at Clayton Beach. If you have time, hike up to Oyster Dome, where there are several good climbs in the 5.10 range, both bolted and trad.

Nice report...and it brings back memories of being benighted at near the top the technical climbing on the West Arete, and spending a sleepless night on a small ledge watching a full-moon slowly slide across the sky. We got seriously off-route above the gendarmes, and spent a few hours puzzling our way back to the ridge, thus ran out of daylight. I agree though....its a worthy climb.

Agree about Sunset Slabs....absolutely the safest place around to learn how to climb. Bring some long runners to reach from the anchors over the edge, and you can have fun ticking of several short routes on the west facing slabs, all within 30 feet of each other. The views are great too! Then, when you gain more confidence, head around the corner to the south face of sunset slabs, and you have more challenging and slightly longer routes.

Nope, the camera was inconveniently left in the car, but I will take some next time I am up that way. Let me know if you need more specifics in locating them...

Dave, Check your PMs

ditto Will Strickland Post above regarding when Bush Jr. resigned from the Governership of the fine state of Texas. Thats what I love about the far right, they always conveniently forget history.....

Niiiiiiiice one!

Bring it on....the alpine side of my mouth is already drooling (and its not a pretty sight).

Yes, I am looking forward to finally seeing the guide. BTW, the lines I spotted look more like in the 10 or 11 range, and are at least 2 pitches. If anyone is interested in checking them out, send me a PM...

They may be in Klokes new guide book (which I havent seen yet) but I doubt it. The lines look brand new, and are reached by an obscure path leading up to the right of Snag Buttress. I am pretty sure they werent there the last time I checked out that area (late last fall).

I was snooping up around Snag Buttress last weekend, and I noticed 2 new lines of bolts on the big wall to the right of the Main Wall. Looks like 2 pitches, near vertical, and perhaps only partly cleaned. Havent been up there for awhile, and wondered if anyone knows what they go at....looks awesome.

How about an aerial tramway up to Camp Hazard? That would take some much needed pressure from DC, and make it much easier to enjoy the NP experience. More folks could get that "Sound of Music" feeling...

Looking for 630 AM partner for the Magnolia VW Tuesdays or Thursdays.I am V2, 5.10, late 40s guy. Thanks, John