OrygunJim

This side is in. Go get it.

Hey John, how much are rides in that sweet plane? Are barrel rolls extra? Great TR Pinegar. Serious winter stoke.

The Olympics have such allure, and a mystical feel when the marine layer moves in. Like some 11th Century Chinese scroll painting. Too bad the rock isn't as solid as it might have been in the 11th century!! I'm pulling out my guidebooks, and planning some trips thanks to this thread. What are the best 3-4 day trips you've taken on the peninsula? So much to explore there.

Porter, Can you post panorama peak names please? Great shot you have there. My contribution, though puny. Deception and Mt. Johnson in late season, from Royal Basin.

As the "waiting climber on the hogsback" I feel I must add my 2 cents worth regarding the route that day. The conditions were perfect in the early morning, baking by 11, a perfect time for the beer I stashed in the snow! The Pearly Gates provided a champ finish to an otherwise monotonous slog. One must exit the hogsback about 20ft. below the spot where the two hapless individuals are stuck in the above photo. The gully leading into the gates is somewhat steep and capped by a section consisting of two ice steps, one about waist to chest high, the other chest to just over-head high. There is a small platform (one person) between the two steps. The ice section is a little more than shoulder width, providing a deceptively cozy feel. I brought a second tool and was glad I did, the ice took picks great and I moved with confidence. It was disappointing to see it end really. I would NOT descend this way as it would require ropes/screws or proficient downclimbing ability. Also the gully is an absolute funnel, so beware party inflicted debris from above and put a helmet on for christ sake. End beta spray transmission. Great photos Suge. and nice tele turns by your bro.

Vertical hiker, email sent. Agree w/ billclimbs about not being into speed, but I'm fit enough to move when need be. Would like to go Sunday. Billclimbs, you still game if these other fellas don't go? pm if interested.

I remember looking back on the way down from the crater at noon thinking "damn, those clouds are closing fast". By the time I reached the parking lot, 1/3 of the mountain had disappeared and Palmer was a ghost town. Serious weather, seriously fast.

I was just out there today thinking how lucky we are to have a great little outdoor gym. Some of those lines are absolute classics, not to be missed. C.M., next time bring a tarp for your rope, and a small trashbag with some gloves. While those may be unusual ethics for a crag, they apply at the Butte.

Ivan, Saturday's good. Will send PM. Stokey for me, then. I've enjoyed the 9s I've lead there so far. (and I swear I didn't use the chalkbag but once, and did my best to smear it off with my boot as I passed)

Would like to head out Saturday, but can arrange schedule to make Sunday happen. Hit some classics? I'd follow someone up .10s or swap lead in the .9s.

People still have sex in their fifties? Damn, hope my shit's still working then...

Thanks for the all the feedback. I look forward to hours in the puffy leather chair with the tawny port and cigars, reading of bold ascents and devastating failures in regions unknown. Speaking of reading... what does it say on the tramp stamp on your avatar pic?

Is that the one about humility being the finest virtue of the gentleman climber, I love that one.

Looking for reading materials during those long wintry nights by the fire. What books have helped shape your climbing style, or what persons have you read about that inspired you? Looking primarily for climbing related items here, no Oprah book club sh*t.

Sending temps at the mudpile. Any or all of these days. C'mon you alpiners, get your sport weenie on!! Me climby in the .10s sport, .9s trad. PM if you can call in sick those days. Mon Sep 17 Partly Cloudy 67°/38° 20% 67°F Tue Sep 18 Partly Cloudy 65°/35° 10% 65°F Wed Sep 19 Partly Cloudy 63°/36° 10% 63°F

Dude, sack up and park the rig at Decker Flat. Make a day trip -approach, climb, return. It will be one of the most satisfying days of your life and the victory beer will be the sweetest you have ever tasted. This is the only way to do FOF in my opinion.

One of my favorite places. My gf and I were in Enchanted Valley in early season and had too much weather to get high on Anderson. In years past I've found a little more snow makes these scrambles much more enjoyable, it's just a matter of timing weather patterns (which i've come to learn is impossible on the peninsula). Great pics of the area and good TR, they really convey the spirit of the area.

I climbed SRS for the first time this summer. Decided it was a good place to learn how to climb bad rock. I agree with the Gri-Gri recommendation if any type of distraction is a possibility, esp. at a crag destination...though nothing beats undivided attention. Glad you two are relatively okay and thanks for the post, discussing these events keeps us mindful.

Appreciate the help. I agree the highlight of these climbs may not be technical superiority, rather, the outright solitude in a fantastic alpine setting.

This would be the Royal Basin area of Olympic National Park. More specifically the Needles above the upper basin. Even more specifically the Needles above Surprise Basin that is above Upper Royal Basin.

Trip: Needles - Martin Pk. routes, know 'em? Date: 8/22/2007 Trip Report: Took a trip to Royal and the Needles this week. After scrambling around the area I am left with quality memories and a few unanswered questions. I found the Olympic Mts. Climbing guide 4th ed. not so helpful on this foray into the hills. The drawing on page 148 was useful only for gross navigation and not more detailed beta. Also, previous posts regarding this area are few, and possibly erroneous. Help a fella out if you've been here and know for sure. Arrowhead, largest free pillar on the east side of Martin, or the sharp pillar underneath Incisor? Another post suggests Arrowhead is the fang-like spire under the Incisor, but that approach wouldn't jive with the guide. This pic seemed to represent the book's description "Guarding Martin Pk's E. face, it towers over surprise basin and is seen prominently from Royal Lake". Routes begin at notch between Martin and Arrowhead. View of Martin from Surprise Pass looking S. (Toward Deception, not pictured) What I believe to be Arrowhead is the leftmost spire in this pic. Also, other than the one post in the archive, anyone know about these routes on the E. side of Mt. Clark? Despite the poor reviews of most Olympic rock, the formations here seem surprisingly solid, probably 3-4 pitches depending on start point. We had a kick ass time and as many alpine endeavors end up, we learned a lot for next time. We'll go back and that's why I'm interested in other experiences. I wanna climb them all, but want to go with good info. Approach Notes: Royal Creek via Dungeness TH.

avalanche lillies were busting out everywhere. Other than that very few patches of meadow/flowers were present. I gotta tell you goatboy, I referenced your TR from a few years ago to plan my trip. It built some good stoke and got me out there.

It's totally mom-friendly. I saw several on the hike back to the parking lot as well as small children. Only a few 3-8' patches of snow along the trail.