kurthicks Posted January 19, 2007 Posted January 19, 2007 Trip: Snake River - Higher Learning (FA) Date: 1/18/2007 Trip Report: Justin and I decided to skip our formal coursework and take our education outdoors today. We climbed what we believe to be a new route along the Snake River, about 3 miles east of Granite Point. "Higher Learning" WI4+/5-, 65' of ice. Side view of higher learning About 2/3 up the route. The pillar above was fully detached and shook throughout whenever I swung into it. We decided to walk off to the right (which included horrendous berrybrush bushwacking and a crotch deep creek fording). It is better to rap the route with 2 ropes from the bush we slung. Justin post climb. It is the hardest route he's ever done. FA: Kurt Hicks, Justin Hougham Higher Learning WI4+/5-, 65' Gear Notes: A half dozen screws Gear to .75", mostly stoppers and pitons 2 ropes to rappel Approach Notes: At milepost 19 on Wawawai River Road, a couple miles toward Lewiston from Granite Point. Quote
Dr_Flush_Amazing Posted January 19, 2007 Posted January 19, 2007 Beauty of a climb! The approach looks like a bitch! Quote
dbconlin Posted January 19, 2007 Posted January 19, 2007 Dude you are climbing all sorts of desert drips this year! Way to go! Quote
ryland_moore Posted January 19, 2007 Posted January 19, 2007 There's water in the Palouse after all! Any of you guys find anything around Palouse River Falls? Ever been down there this time of year? I've been working out there a lot recently looking at water rights and saw a ton of seeps where the basalt layers transitioned over down in the canyon. Looks like a ton of potential if the weather and water is right.... Quote
TrogdortheBurninator Posted January 19, 2007 Posted January 19, 2007 Nice one Kurt. After seeing the pic yesterday, I couldn't figure out how you'd resist climbing it. Guess you couldn't. Quote
Weekend_Climberz Posted January 19, 2007 Posted January 19, 2007 That looks nice :tup: There is ice in Washington!! Quote
sobo Posted January 19, 2007 Posted January 19, 2007 Good onya, Kurt and Jason! You'll make a PNW Hardman outta Jason yet! Quote
Blake Posted January 19, 2007 Posted January 19, 2007 way to go! why do you need to ropes to rap a 65' climb? Quote
dbb Posted January 19, 2007 Posted January 19, 2007 watch out for trains! damn objective danger.. NICE looking climb Kurt! way to get it before it fell down. Quote
kurthicks Posted January 19, 2007 Author Posted January 19, 2007 way to go! why do you need to ropes to rap a 65' climb? because only anchor (a bush) was about 60' back from the edge, making it about 130' to the ground. If it stays up after this warm snap, I am going to go put a bolt anchor at the lip. watch out for trains! damn objective danger.. This is no joke! One passed by as Justin was just finishing following the climb. I swear the whole place shook. Quote
sobo Posted January 19, 2007 Posted January 19, 2007 way to go! why do you need to ropes to rap a 65' climb? because only anchor (a bush) was about 60' back from the edge, making it about 130' to the ground. That's what I woulda thought. If it stays up after this warm snap, I am going to go put a bolt anchor at the lip. So you're thinking this is gonna come back in again in your lifetime? PS: Like your climbing wardrobe, Kurt... "Levi 501s: the new softshell" Quote
Jake_Gano Posted January 19, 2007 Posted January 19, 2007 Damn Kurt, I remember running by that place last spring and noticing water running down it. I took note to come check it out after a good long cold spell. Looks like you got it done! Nice job. Quote
sobo Posted January 19, 2007 Posted January 19, 2007 Hey Jake! I still have your... um... "payment" here in my office fridge. John sold Hyperspud and isn't around anymore. Ideas? Quote
kurthicks Posted January 20, 2007 Author Posted January 20, 2007 Any of you guys find anything around Palouse River Falls? Ever been down there this time of year? yes. I've got a photo kicking around somewhere. Looks like a ton of potential if the weather and water is right.... go about your business... Quote
ryland_moore Posted January 20, 2007 Posted January 20, 2007 I have driven every dirt single road from Rosalia South to Wawaiwai Canyon and East to Central Ferry State Park and North to Winona this past summer. I literally spent three straight weeks driving these roas to document dwater right use. In the process I got to see some amazing potential for ice as well as scope out some awesome upland bird hunting. Drop me a PM and you guys can Do check some other areas out I thought might be promising. The key is to find the break in the Wanapum and Grande Ronde basalts where water would seep out and are exposed. I will be out there next Wednesday (meetings in Colfax and Spokane)if you want me to go over some maps (Gazateer) I could point you to some good spots*****Caviat: A lot of those dirt roads, while named and public, can be really difficult to travel on during the winter without four wheel drive..... Quote
sobo Posted January 20, 2007 Posted January 20, 2007 No worries, ryland... kurt's in the blue s00bie. It's all good! Quote
ryland_moore Posted January 20, 2007 Posted January 20, 2007 I don't know if I'd tust my Subie on some of those Palouse loess wet dirt roads! Quote
sobo Posted January 20, 2007 Posted January 20, 2007 I hear ya! I know the area you've been skulking around in lately. Quote
kurthicks Posted January 26, 2007 Author Posted January 26, 2007 Any of you guys find anything around Palouse River Falls? Ever been down there this time of year? 2004. most ice seemed to form from the mist. Quote
kurthicks Posted January 26, 2007 Author Posted January 26, 2007 I didn't say that it was. i bet there is more classic ice elsewhere in that canyon though. Quote
G-spotter Posted January 26, 2007 Posted January 26, 2007 Just the thought of climbing some frozen mist while more rapidly coats my gear, ropes and jacket, and then the upper ledge traverse right into the falls to escape, is making my nipples hard. Quote
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