wayne Posted July 8, 2003 Posted July 8, 2003 Alas,it was a good vacation, that ended with returning to the news the carpenters strike is over. I was supposed to be at work mon. , instead, David Parker and I enjoyed the West Ridge of Mt. Constance.. There is a very good reason Kearney selected this climb as one of his favorite classics in this blessed state. It may have its rock quality critics but it doesnt have to be supersolid to be a classic. Hell the Eiger is THE classic period. I felt like Hans and Franz on the Bielgtgenheimerstrussel Direct. We had a trip that easily measures up to most classics in the Cascades. The thing rocks and you deserve to have little beta for this one. It is something that should just unfold for you .You should however be very prepared for weather and descent knowledge, as the whole tour is vey complicated up on the mt. Route finding is a big issue. I took the easiest looking way and ended up in 5.6 r -Loose crap. It was a bit scary. Well its back to the grindstone till Europe in Sept. Have a fun summer ya'all! See you at the club Quote
David_Parker Posted July 8, 2003 Posted July 8, 2003 And don't forget your Mt. Bikes for the ride up and down the road from the washout. If the west-ridge route wasn't classic enough when Kearney wrote his book, it is now with this added dimension! PS. I LOVE that trail up to lake Constance!! That was my 5th time! Quote
vegetablebelay Posted July 8, 2003 Posted July 8, 2003 wayne1112 said: The thing rocks and you deserve to have little beta for this one. It is something that should just unfold for you   Thanks Wayne. Nice job to both of you. Quote
wayne Posted July 9, 2003 Author Posted July 9, 2003 Gonna load a couple of photos Dave? Please Quote
Norman_Clyde Posted July 10, 2003 Posted July 10, 2003 Strong work, you guys. I might be willing to go for it with little beta, but I at least want to know: did you rope up and use pro? Quote
wayne Posted July 10, 2003 Author Posted July 10, 2003 I was expecting to solo it . David threw his harness and small rack+rope in. He and I were glad we had it on a couple of spots.No rock shoes make it interesting as well. Expect to get off route a little and get into 5.6R -loose.Good stuff to have a rope on. Give the thing a try! Quote
David_Parker Posted July 11, 2003 Posted July 11, 2003 For me, the crux was getting past the goat at the start of the rock climbing from the pass. He was snorting and pawing the air and put his head down, threatening to charge me. I had put my weapon (ski pole) away so felt defenceless. We cautiously passed each other and he meandered off eventually after having followed us 3/4 of the way up Avalanche Canyon from the lake. Quote
David_Parker Posted August 7, 2003 Posted August 7, 2003 Finally, PHOTO'S HERE: Â http://www.shutterfly.com/osi.jsp?i=67b0de21b325aea20552 Quote
rollo Posted August 7, 2003 Posted August 7, 2003 Cool pictures! I think I ran into that same goat the week after you guys were up there. Except I bumped into him below the Lake on the main trail while descending. Got some extremely closeup pics. Quote
Flying_Ned Posted August 8, 2003 Posted August 8, 2003 Nice. Good shot of the finger traverse too. After all the rockfall I've seen coming that from Crystal Pass, I never gave it too much consideration. Definately doing it now. Thanks for those photos and the TR. Quote
PONCHO&LEFTY Posted August 8, 2003 Posted August 8, 2003 Love the photos. Is that gendarme on pic 21 as detatched and as scary looking when your on the mountain, is it a named feature? Looks hoooorrible! Quote
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