[TR] Colchuck Balanced Rock - West Face 06/23/2019

[Michael Telstad]

Trip: Colchuck Balanced Rock - West Face

Trip Date: 06/23/2019

Trip Report:

Some people use the solstice for really long days from sunrise to sunset, getting in as much adventure as possible. We used it to sleep in and still get in a full day of awesome climbing.

Leaving the trailhead at 9am we made quick work of the hike up to the lake. From there it was uncharted terrain for the both of us. The climbers trail was way easier to follow than we expected, very well cairned and worn down. 

The wall looking very very good

Two guys crushing Let it Burn. They looked very cool from our route.

Such a cool looking route!

The corner had one serious wet patch that thwarted my OS. Not bad at all though.

I got very cold at the belay under the corner, making for some numb tips on the traverse.

Sean about to onsight the freaking crux!

Unfortunately I got no photos of the chimney. I thought it was fun. Sean did not.

The descent to the base was pretty cruiser. About 50/50 kitty litter to snow. A fall on the snow could be pretty bad if you don't stop but definitely not worth bringing an axe on route, just be careful. There are currently no bugs at the base or on route.

Overall the route is in great condition. Only one small wet patch up near the top of P4 and the only fixed gear is the nuts and pins at the top of P4. I cleaned a fixed nut out of the crux thinking my partner had placed it. It came out very easily.

Our time came in around 11.5 hours C2C giving us enough time to go get some dinner in town. 

Gear Notes:
Double rack .1-2 single 3&4. A bunch of slings and a single rack of nuts, mostly small. There is no longer a fixed piece at the crux. Sorry.

Approach Notes:
All snow free and in good condition.

[JasonG]

Love how casually you guys dispatched that!