orion_sonya

Oops, I think I left my newish size 38(?) Miuras at World Wall last Wednesday (8/12). They would have probably been near the base of Chronic or Rainy Day Womens. If anyone picked them up, I would be psyched to get em back. I can be reached by pm or orionwatson @ yahoo . com Thanks, Orion

Pretty Funny. From Smithrock.com

It seems to me that they are upset because in their view there are too many people playing in the sandbox, so they are pissing on everyone's sandcastle.

link

Thank you sir.

It's called the Swine and has been trafficed by Mt. Hood locals for years. There are a few old topo's out there, but none have been published as far as I know. While there are a few undeveloped lines there, most of the plum lines have been done at some time. Many are mixed and probably mossy so it may not be obvious from the cliff bottom that a route exists. I would guess the route count is near 25 or so for the three 'main' areas. A little beta: The bolted line in the middle of the wall is called Opal's Arete and is 5.11+. The extension through the roof is Sea Hag Roof and is 5.12-. Both are tributes to the Late Opal who owned what used to be called the Food and General (FAG) in Rhodie. Up the road a few more miles is another good all traditional crag near the falls ... There are lot's of little hidden crags on the mountain.

From the site "Using this kit might allow some explorers to find new cave where the map currently says, "Too Tight.""

Thanks to everyone who volunteered at the Index Clean-up on Saturday! It was a huge success thanks to all of your hard work (and not to mention the sacrifice of a few hours of climbing). The Park Service Rangers drove out with a truck load of garbage (and even a truck canopy filled with trash was carried down from the upper wall by a very strong and determined group of people!). There have been some great trail improvements as well! Have a great spring. See you on the rock this season, Sonya

Hey Fellow Climbers, Spring is here and it's time to show our favorite local granite cliff a little bit of love. Come and help out with trail maintenance, brush clearing, and garbage pick-up. Starbucks is donating coffee and we even have a delicious pastry hook-up. We are working with Wallace Falls State Parks who will be providing tools and other supplies. Please register so we can estimate the number of people who will show up. Also, if you have trail work experience and would like to be a team leader, please let me know. Hopefully the weather that day will be great for cragging in afternoon! See ya' there, Sonya

Well, looking for myself payed off this time. We bouldered in the clearcut below Zeke's Saturday and climbed at the Country on Sunday - both days were excellent. Zeke's boulders are free of snow and everything in the clearcut is dry. We were able to drive to the top of the clearcut by playing redneck an beating the shit out of my truck. Zero to four inches of snow is at the base of LTW and the Country; most all of the routes are dry. The friction is good and the breeze is warm. If anyone has MLK day off and was wondering, I suggest heading out. Cheers, Orion

Bump - has anyone hiked to the LTW? Are any of the routes dry? How about the country? Also, has anyone checked out the clearcut below Zeke's from the highway? Has the sun burned off the snow there yet? Inquiring minds want to know! thanks, Orion

Index is just under an hour drive from Seattle (with no traffic) and the approach is ~1 minute. Traffic after 3pm on weekdays really sucks, as was mentioned earlier, so if you can escape work early - Index is a good afternoon option. You should try and get a payed trip for an interview over here and check out the scene yourself

Exit 32 (Little Si) is pretty awesome after work sport climbing... Particularly if you are climbing 5.11 to 5.14.

I second most of what has been said. Index(topo) and Exit 32 are IMO the staples of Seattle area climbing and both are quite good. Exit 32 is a small shady crag hosting steep, long, mostly hard sport climbs. Index has multiple granite walls with a mix of traditional and sport climbing both single and multi-pitch. Both can be climbable in the winter, but not reliably. Leavenworth, Vantage, and Teiton are all east of the cascades and about 2-2.5 hours from Seattle. They are often a better bet for winter climbing. Squamish(~4hrs) and Smith(~6hrs) are longer weekend trips, but do-able. Also, Weekend Rock Washington is definitely geared to the moderate climber (5.10 and under).

thanks for the pics - looks like it was a good trip. I may have to head up North if the local weather doesn't cooperate soon!

I was just at Tieton yesterday and it was perfect in the sun at Lava Wall. Cave Rock, Rainbow Rock and the Oasis are all in the sun during mid day as well. Any wall in the shaded is an ice box though ...

Kimmo, have you seen this? link Let me know if you find anything cool over there - I have always been interested in checking it out sometime. Orion

Glad to hear you are healed up. Tis the season for Smith; we may be there this weekend if the weather craps out, but if the forecast holds - Index.

Thanks all- It was indeed dry and pleasant over the weekend - no seepage at all in the caves. Where have you been hiding at Kimmo? Orion

thanks Rudy

Does anyone know if the 'caves' at Nason Ridge stay dry in the rain? I know they are steep enough, but do they seep much? ie. do you think they are a go this weekend? thanks, Orion

I would have to second that.

Patrick, thanks for starting this thread. Losing Ryan is huge. Ryan was one of the strongest climbers out there. But his strength did not come from being naturally gifted with steel tendons or a huge ape index. His success came from within. He always worked and tried HARD. Lack of effort was never in the equation. I will always admire that about him. Siurana Index Touring at Baker Rest Day near Barcelona Ryan's shit eatin' grin We love you and miss you Ryan

The little crusher is crushing ... There are some big reaches for him on that route - nicely done! Won't be long until he is stringing the TR up for you.

Goodbye Jim, you'll be missed.