mountainsloth

Nice adventure. No immersion foot suffering for me. Thanks for the pretty pics and story.

That place always seems so safe from rock fall but this is the second major event in a few years out there. Stay safe and wear a helmet people!

Nice eye. Looks like some fun! Love the position!

Are you interested in the climbing gear Jilly?

Grivel Rambo fully ridged crampons. Used. Slightly beat up, but points are still quite sharp. Still in plenty of life to kick up some frozen waterfalls or steep neve. Rubber anti-ball bottoms. Originally retailed for $210 my price: $75

36” picket. New. Never been used. $15. (Photo includes a few other items)

Grivel Taakoon ice tools for sale. One with an adze and the other with a hammer. Good condition, used sparingly. Picks are still quite sharp. Masking $150 for both. Retailed for $500.

Sounds like a great adventure! I've got to visit that range one day.

Wow. I had no idea those peaks existed. Stunning trip as always. You seem to know just where to go to find obscure gems.

Nice! That was my first darrington route years ago. Somehow those suspect bolts didn't deter me. I look forward to enjoying this classic again. Thanks Matt!

Great trip! I did almost this same exact one about 10 years ago. First taste of alpine rock. Spooked the shit out of me, but I persevered and now laugh at the memory of almost freaking out on my partner upon reaching the ridge crest of forbidden. Who climbs with rings on their fingers!!!??? 😂 Seriously though, not a great idea for many reasons. I wear mine on a piece of skinny cord around my neck for climbing and it works great. Sorry about the sapphire.

Nice one. Cool area. BTW, that is a bobcat not a cougar. Cougars are larger and have long tails. Bobcats have stubby tails. Time to start tackling Smoots cascade peaks?

I really hope someone is paying you to take photos. Stunning trip and photos. Can we vote for favorite TR contributors? I vote Jason all the way. You make this site great!

Gotta love these long days of Summer! Way to trash and grab a lesser traveled peak.

Nice work guys. Herrington's book showed a very obvious opening for that FA buttress. I was wondering how long it was going to take for someone to put up that line.

Nice looking adventure line. What kind of rock is that?

Nice one! Impressed with the effort

Great TR. Thanks for the stoke!

Nice early season pickets trip. Looks like fun.

Very nice assortment of cascade climbing! It must have been tough going back to boring Conneticut. I grew up in NH, and moved out here 11 years ago for the cascades. If you liked "Total Soul", next time you are out you should include the illusion wall out in Darrington. It's like alpine cragging at its best. Excellent rock, fun features, bolted rappel anchors and no crowds.

Looks like a fun adventure. Too bad about the shoe.

Ivan, We think it's that magical Darrington grade of 10+ I have climbed the crux pitches 3 different times and they all felt different. Summer sun makes it feel 5.11, yet autumn coolness made it feel a mere 5.10. It's protected well either way and as of last summer, the pitch 7 crux was home to the only lead falls.

Hey crazed, This is Chris's friend Jeremy. We all met at the trailhead a little while back. Yes, we are basically done. Still a couple of older bolts up there but they are still in pretty good shape and surrounded by either gear placements or new bolts. It's much safer and cleaner than it used to be but think it still holds some of its original character (someone stated that it was "gently" bolted). It is certainly one fun and unique line. Thanks for letting us play on a bit of your history. Hopefully you'll get a chance to climb it again with a bit less daring needed.

👍 Looks like an excellent day out. Thanks for sharing.

Thanks curt!