maxhasson

Great stuff everybody! Photo threads are the best, and this one has prizes, yeah! Alpine - Jens Holsten on Let it Burn, CBR Cragging - Jessica Campbell on Liquid Nitrogen, Leavenworth Scenic - Dragontail Peak Bouldering - Geoff Cecil in the Swiftwater Cave, Leavenworth Humor - Ginnie Jo Blue gets goofy high on the Upper Wall, Index

Ivan, nice work finding a way to make me look stupid. Just can't win on this forum. Of course I meant that making a belay safe (from reading the above posts it looks like just one or two out of five) was more acceptable than a rappel station every 50-60 meters. Not sure why I'm bothering to explain myself, just wanted to let you know that you were being a dick.

As everyone has said, great thread. Haven't heard much about this route on the interweb, it's rad to hear about it direct from one half of the first ascent team. It is of course a shame that we can't get the input of Boving himself. While I suppose if anyone has the "right" (according to our not very official set of rules, I'd like them to stay unofficial myself) to add bolts to the route Matt does, I definitely don't feel totally comfortable with the idea. If the choice was mine I'd rather see them only at belays and not on lead. As for the rap route, I am very much opposed, I understand the concept and know that if you don't find the way that part of the mountain could be very trying. I can't say that the traverse into Dragonscar is guaranteed to be simple but we did find an enjoyable scramble above the end of our route. Hopefully this thread inspires some ascents and those parties can investigate the link. Do what feels right to you Matt, ultimately it's your choice, but thanks anyway for being open to input, I for one appreciate it. -max

View of the fire from CBR on Friday. Saw flames occasionally but mostly smoke. Didn't see any low flying aircraft or FS personnel.

Rad. Awesome job going for the scar, looks like great rock. Pretty wild how many routes are going up on this face in the last couple years considering the lack of activity between the West Face and the Tempest, something like twenty years between them if I remember right. I better go up there and get some before it's too late.

So sick dudes! Great work on a sick route on a rad peak in a beautiful place!

Hell yeah Mikey, nice work wrapping up a lofty goal. These TRs definitely get me psyched to get on the upper wall. Hope to run into you out here soon and talk about some local mountain climbing...

Oh, and here's where to see some sick shots of Mike and Kate crushing, courtesy of Tim Matsui: http://timmatsui.com/blog/2008/09/climbing-photography-redux-the-thin-red-line/

Sol following P2 following P4 Sol leading P5 Cumbre All photos except for the summit shot in the dark are from our recon trip. Hauled the camera up last week but was a little too focused on the climbing. Sol's 'keg stand' of inspiration ranks high among the raddest feats of climbing I've witnessed. After three heart wrenching goes following the sixth pitch he somehow found the energy to pull it off and I almost cried. Interesting to see your grading breakdown Mikey, I hear you on the difficulty of rating stuff, definitely some reachy moves on that route, at least the way I did it. Double toe hooks on the roof pitch sound familiar? Excellent work on the Upper Wall by the way, hit me up if you're in the neighbourhood, we should go to the Drip Wall. Linking the last two pitches to M&M is definitely not the way but is a great challenge, the last couple feet to the ledge were intense to say the least. WA Pass is an amazing place.

Found one wallet belonging to a Daniel C., with an out of state license. No number to call, I'll wait a week or so and then either send it to the address or hand it over to the authorities. Hope I can hook it up, sucks to lose a wallet. -maxhasson(atgmaildotcom)

http://jensholsten.blogspot.com/2009/02/going-big-having-fun.html

Index was dry today, probably tomorrow too...

DCramer- Yah, we climbed at the wall hi lighted in Smoot's guide, it's got 50 or so routes I think? The book also claims that the area sports 500+ routes so some of the other cliffs must be decent. Some high quality rock for sure, as well as some classic coulee choss. Many of the climbs just need more traffic, we spotted maybe one chalked hold but overall the climbing related impact was nil. Some of the anchors were simple but most were kind of involved. I used one end of the rope to equalize a couple really spread out anchors and still had enough rope left to set up a TR. So bring an old rope or lots of cord/webbing. It's kind of nice to set up several ropes at once so the more gear you bring the better. It seems like it would be a long drive from Seattle but it's not too bad for east siders as a good alternative to Vantage.

Did I miss something or has no one mentioned the ?