[TR] Darrington - Silent Running 9/18/2009

[denalidevo]

Trip: Darrington - Silent Running

 

Date: 9/18/2009

 

Trip Report:

Location: Darrington, WA

Route: Silent Running (w/ bonus pitch)

Grade: II+, 5.10b

 

Kurt and I drove out to slab city (D-town) to get in some long pitches and vert. Hiked to Three O'Clock Rock and found we had it all to ourselves! Silent Running beckoned and we heeded her call. I led pitch 1, an easy 5.5. I placed a #1 cam in the crack before the solitary bolt, mainly because I had it on me. Kurt led pitch 2 (5.8) - all bolts. Pitch 3 was the first crux at 5.9+. I placed a .5 cam under a small overlap - again, mainly because I had it. Kurt led the next two pitches, both 5.8, all bolts. The 5th pitch was fun, probably only one 5.8 move, the rest easier w/ knobs. I led the final (6th) pitch (5.9+) and the "bonus" 7th pitch (5.10b). The old rusty buttonhead bolts (scaaary!) had been replaced with new bolts and Metolius hangers since our last visit in '06, a much appreciated upgrade. I hadn't climbed the bonus 10b pitch before; it looked intimidating with it's 2 roofs. I made some 5.9'ish moves up to the first overlap which was well protected by a bolt; the second overlap had a nice crack below it where I placed a #2 cam and clipped a bolt above. I wasted time and energy placing a C3 in a thin crack (mental pro!) and pondered climbing up and left before deciding to go down and right around a bush instead, placed a .5 cam not too far above the the C3 and continued up through some spicy slab past two more bolts (this felt like the crux to me). The last bit climbed up to a dihedral where I recall placing a #1 cam and another C3 before running it out to the anchors. Started climbing at 10:35 am, finished pitch 7 just after 3 pm: 4.5 hours total to climb approximately 1,000 feet. Another hour and we'd rappelled to the base (simul-rapp'ing the last pitch). Good times.

 

Gear Notes:

Gear placed: BD C4's .5 - 2; C3's green & red; 8 QD's and 2 alpine draws; half ropes

 

 

Approach Notes:

Trail - all good

[curtveld]

Great climb and TR!

 

I thought the crux on the bonus pitch was the last couple slab moves to the belay and some think it's the corner itself. The fact that opinions differ speaks to the varied and sustained climbing on that pitch.