[TR] Darrington - Silent Running: car to car 5/28/2007

[mattp]

Trip: Darrington - Silent Running: car to car

 

Date: 5/28/2007

 

Trip Report:

I’ve been confined to the couch for a few months with back pain, and finally my physical therapist, my wife, and the weather gods agreed I could take a day out in the woods -- but my regular partners all had plans for the holiday weekend. Thinking I could combine a light day of climbing with some “do good” work serving my fellow climbers, I posted a notice in the cc.com “Partner’s Forum” saying I could easily gimp out, but I wanted to replace some old bolts on Silent Running and guess who responded? That generous soul, T’Vash.

 

So, after agreeing that as it had rained the night before and maybe the rock might not be dry at the crack of dawn, Tvash and I met at Safeway at 8:00 and mosey’ed our way up there. The approach hike was grueling. It must have taken 40 minutes, as we grappled with windfalls in those deep dark woods, wildflowers in the way, and all kinds of hell! And then, at the base of the climb: snow. I scooped some into a ziplock and stuffed it down my back for an ice pack, and TVash led up the 20 foot snowfield that ramped up to 20 degrees!

 

The rock was dry and I led the first two pitches as one, with some simulclimbing, while Tvash quickly followed.

 

 

I tricked him into leading the crux by telling him it was well bolted and then offering to lead it myself.

 

 

Tvash also took the “bonus pitch” at the top.

 

 

Setting up to do our good deeds, I dropped my lucky wrench. Ka dink ka dink ka dink. So much for my lucky wrench, and so much for the bolt replacement project. We figured it meant we’d do some more climbing instead of drilling.

 

Looking for something we could climb fairly quickly, we climbed three of four pitches on Revolver (it could be Penny Lane – I have not done eiher and I can’t quite remember which is which). It was pretty good, though I’d have to say I think Total Soul and Silent Running are better. The third pitch was clean and fairly sustained for a bit. 5.10b?

 

 

The views of Exfoliation Dome, when the fog finally cleared at the end of the day, were great.

 

 

Back on the ground, I stuffed more snow into a ziplock and put it on my sore back, took a couple of pain killers, and headed down the trail. I guess the physical therapist was right: climbing would probably be OK, he had said.

 

Fast and light is the way to go.

 

 

Gear Notes:

Silent Running is mostly bolt protected, but a light rack is needed. Leave the tiny wires and any double behind. Gear to 2" for the last pitch only, otherwise, gear to 1" . Ten runners.

 

Approach Notes:

The road is in good shape - for now. Lets hope it doesn't need repairs any time soon because the F.S. may not be able to afford the work.

 

Minimal snow is left at the base of the climb.

 

Gunfire in the valley.

[TrogdortheBurninator]

Glad to hear the back held together! Sounds like another fine day in darrington.

[Weekend_Climberz]

Good job Matt. So, in terms of how many times TVash swore while climbing, how many F-bombs would you rate your day as.

[Billygoat]

[mattp]

It must have been a bad day. He only cursed once or twice in passing, or when I dinked with the camera too much. Here, he's saying: "put the F'n thing away and belay!"

 

 

 

He growled at the crux moves, though.

[kevbone]

Great pics!!!

[tvashtarkatena]

Thanks, Matt. My modeling career is now over.

[Weekend_Climberz]

Hey Tvash,

 

I love the "WTF have you gotten me into" face you have.

 

 

Let's hit some stone soon You have to behave though

[tvashtarkatena]

I always behave.

 

 

Poorly.