spotly

The problem with these midsized cameras is that they don't fit into a pocket so are a pain to carry around - always flopping in the way or stored in the pack. Plus, if you just hang it off your pack, it's bound to take a beating from the rocks and the rain. If you insist on going with a "bigger" camera though, check out the Rebel. Fairly light and won't break the bank - too bad. I use a D20 when size and weight don't matter and a small water resistant Olympus when climbing or hard hiking. The Olympus has a slide away lens protector and takes excellent photos. The zoom is pretty sparse for what you want but I personally have never found a need for a long zoom on my trips because the landscape shots are what I'm taking anyway. Something like the Olympus 810 fits in the pocket, weather proof and takes great photos. Kinda pricey but you get what you pay for - sometimes.

Did you and Stevey make it up there to do that slab? If you're passing through anyway, worth the stop.

A couple of us did the scramble route from Harrison Lake over to Beehive Lakes on Saturday (nice!) and I was looking at the Beehive near the Harrison Lake trailhead. Looks like alot of bushwacking to get to the base but some fun slab climbing. Anyone here that's climbed that before? Looks like pretty low angle slab - is it protectable or even need pro? Is there a walk-off or better to rap the whole route? Thanks

Climbed at Laclede for the first time a few weeks ago. Wandered around - everything was pretty mossy where we looked and most of the cracks were wet at the time. There's a pretty nice 5.7 slab right off the highway that was dry so we did that. Seemed a bit sketchy from the last bolt to the anchor but still a fun route.

So, we made it up and opted for the easier route to the right. Like you said, mainly a scramble with one or two low 5 moves. Protected it with a #10 hex above the scramble then a small/medium nut at the crux. A very nice climb. The 5.6 routes look like all bomber holds as well. The route is in great condition right now. No scree - all good snow. The moat between the top of the last steep draw and the short cliff leading to the upper ridge is only a few feet from the rock right now and fairly easy to cross. A good climb - thanks for the beta. Though I must confess that I brought WAY too much gear for such an easy climb. It's hard to leave the toys at home

Hey, that's great! Thanks very much. I guess I'm ready for it. 5.6 is cake so it's all just mental - meticulous and calm. It'll be my first trad out in "the wilds" so there's that whole sense of excitement and aprehension - it's gonna be great! Now if I can get the rack down to a managable size. Something tells me a full set of hexes and cams to #2 with doubles at .75 and 2 might be a bit too much for this short route Hard to leave the toys at home though Thanks again.

I remember readying about that blue webbibg on SP now that you mention it. I should have downloaded that route image when they were up and running yesterday - doh. Thanks.

Does anyone have a topo or image of the routes for Unicorn Peak summit block that they'd be willing to share? I'm particularly interested in the standard 5.6 route that's supposed to be about 10 yards to the right of the chimney route. Also, any recommendations for what pro to drag up there? I know the routes are short and I could just go and do it but I'm new enough to trad that I'd prefer to use whatever handicaps I can get for now. Thanks much.

I know this is an old post but thought I'd share. We (my wife Teri, and I) hiked out to Golf Course Wall at Banks Lake on Saturday and laid out all the gear to head up that 5.7 arete route. Flaked the rope, sat down to put on shoes, blah, blah, blah. Then we saw the rich green bed of poison ivy we were wollowing in. OMG! Rushed into Grande Coulee and picked up a tube of special soap just for poison ivy for $31 and washed like maniacs - several times. Took all the gear down to Steamboat Rock and rinsed/wiped it off several times. Washed the rope once we got home. So far (48 hours later) no rash. Pray for us! By the way Steve, do you still climb

Looking for someone to do this with. 10 pitch 5.6ish. I can share the leading for most of it I believe but new to trad so depends on the pitch. I've done some leading this year (Midway, Monkey Face, local crags stuff) but only comfy to 5.6 right now. If you're in Spokane, I'm willing to provide the free transportation and a few brews from the cooler afterwards - not before though Send me an IM and maybe we can get out to Minne beforehand if you'd like.

New route folder. Dry road already EDITED{I see - a dry road, not THE dry road ]. New revision of the book. All that in one post! Thanks.

This is what I like about the people I've met since taking up climbing. We look out for our own.

Found a copy of Idaho Rock today by chance Now I'm looking forward to when the Pack River road is clear enough to get my truck up it. Thanks for all of the feedback.

I'll have to pick up the book. Keystone is a bit much for me on a trad lead right now but thanks for the beta. Is the "regular" route in the 5.6 range with plenty of pro?

I imagine there's a book that covers this but, any recommendations on a good route up Harrison Peak (Selkirks)? Something in the 5.6 range possibly?

Thanks. It was a blast and I'm looking forward to getting down there again in the fall...if my loan for gas money comes through.

Climbed the Pioneer Route on Monkey Face last Saturday (May 6th). This was my second trad climb (first was Midway route at Castle a month ago) so leading the first two pitches was especially fun. Took a wrong turn right away but what the heck, extra climbing. We had the route to ourselves the entire time! I expected bolts on the last pitch so didn't much care for that one. Had a blast. More pics and longer report here if you're interested.

I saw those about a month ago. Pretty ballsy doing that right near the road too. There's been more 4 wheel drive activity going up Beacon Hill lately too. The trail near White Rock is all tore up.

The Pioneer route was loaded up on Friday. We didn't get started up it till 8:30 or so on Saturday. We rapped off and headed up to the top of the pass and still no one else on it! Very surprising - but great.

Mummut 8mm sling with 2 BD biners attached. I think I left if hanging on the bolt ladder on Monkey Face Saturday, May 6th.

Anyone have any info on route conditions for Little T via Paradise? We're heading up there from Spokane on the 28th and camping somewhere below Anvil Rock. Also, any other beta on the route and roads in would be appreciated - Thanks

Nice shots! We Left Timberline at 2:30 Sunday morning and the temps were bitter. Warmed up a bit by the time we came off the summit. Wish I woulda had a temp guage.

Standard route was in great shape on Sunday. Went up the left chute (little ice) then down the right chute (somewhat loose snow but still good). Real cold in the morning but I was sweating by the time I came down. Woo hoo! Took 2 weekends in a row but finally got it.

I read summitseekers report for their climb on Sunday and my stomach turned. Been trying to get up there all season and bailed too quickly. Oh well, seemed like the right decision at the time since neither one of us had first-hand knowledge of the route. We're hoping to try the Leuthold Couloir route on the 25th so hopefully it'll be in shape then. The drive RT from Spokane is murder on the pocketbook and the wife is liable to start interjecting herself into the plans if I have to do it too many times "ugh" is about all I can say last Sunday. Glad to hear that others got to the top though.

I'll be interested in your take on the conditions. We left the truck at 2:15 and slogged through freezing rain and poor visibility to the top of the ski slope. Didn't look like it was planning on improving so we turned back. Hope you got some decent views from the summit. We'll be back for those later I guess. Snow was in great shape up to that point.