Alex_Mineev Posted January 15, 2004 Share Posted January 15, 2004 Hi experts, looking at all these teasing posts about WI climbing I've decided to try some WI for myself. Are there any entry-level routes that are (or might be) in shape preferably within 2 hours of driving from Seattle? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David_Parker Posted January 15, 2004 Share Posted January 15, 2004 Depends on how fast you drive. Two hours barely gets you out of western Wa and there is no ice in western WA. 2 hours by rocket ship should get you to Russia if you go over the pole. I heard it was cold there! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex_Mineev Posted January 15, 2004 Author Share Posted January 15, 2004 In two hours I can get to Yakima, so I guess I meant the radius of about 150 miles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sobo Posted January 15, 2004 Share Posted January 15, 2004 Try this little gem... Umptanum Falls (b/w E-burg and the Wenas near Naches) comes immediately to mind, but it's very limiting. Go with a partner and set up TRs on WI3 stuff. You'll have way more fun. See Horsetail Falls outside of Cliffdell off of SR 410 (but it's more like 3 hours from Seattle). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex_Mineev Posted January 15, 2004 Author Share Posted January 15, 2004 Thanks sobo, I've ordered some books The question is more about which routes are (or could be) in shape from the list of the known easy ones? If possible I want to avoid driving there to figure there is only water and no ice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sobo Posted January 15, 2004 Share Posted January 15, 2004 Thanks sobo, I've ordered some books The question is more about which routes are (or could be) in shape from the list of the known easy ones? If possible I want to avoid driving there to figure there is only water and no ice. If you leave tomorrow morning, you could probably get on Horsetail Falls (faces south, but shaded), Union Creek Falls, (faces south, but sits in a deep canyon), or Umptanum Falls (faces north, in a small canyon, and is shaded), but you're gonna get wet fer sure. Still, I wouldn't wait for the weekend if I were you. Go now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Posted January 15, 2004 Share Posted January 15, 2004 (edited) I dont think Umptanum is in with the temps right now (it was in the 40s on the East side Sunday), but I have not actually been there to confirm my suspicions. With the current temperatures, finding a TR for a beginner within 2 hours of Seattle would be pretty tough. PS: Jason and I are compiling a list of good beginner climbs and planned to put it in the guide, but ran out of time in the end. We will publish it online at http://wwww.wastateice.net some time this year. Edited January 15, 2004 by Alex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
genepires Posted January 15, 2004 Share Posted January 15, 2004 cascade crags "fake ice" is always "in". Yeah it is steep, but it is a TR. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex_Mineev Posted January 15, 2004 Author Share Posted January 15, 2004 thanks again! I do not care getting wet, it's part of the fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cracked Posted January 15, 2004 Share Posted January 15, 2004 Go to Lilloet and lead the WI2s and 3s, or go to Marble and TR stuff. Alpental occasionally has ice, but it's been warm lately. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sobo Posted January 15, 2004 Share Posted January 15, 2004 I do not care getting wet, it's part of the fun. You did say were new to this, eh? ok. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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