Darrington conditions?

[colt45]

Anyone been to Darrington lately? I am wondering about road access & specifically whether Green Giant Buttress or 3 o'clock rock have a reasonable chance of being dry....

[genepires]

not there lately but 3 oclock usually dries up quickly, being slabs n all.

 

I am curious as to the state of the road too.

 

[curtveld]

Word is the road was opened up recently to the 3OC trailhead.

 

Lots of rain up there this week, so no idea if rock will be dry ...or, for that matter, if crampons are required to access routes

[genepires]

chop steps like conrad kain to get to slab climbing.

 

yeah for the road open.

[curtveld]

chop steps like conrad kain to get to slab climbing.

 

"Gentlemen, that's as far as I can take you. Sticky rubber has yet to be invented"

[mattp]

See you there!

[genepires]

chop steps like conrad kain to get to slab climbing.

 

"Gentlemen, that's as far as I can take you. Sticky rubber has yet to be invented"

 

"Gentlemen, that's not as far as I can take you. I don't give a rats ass about sticky rubber, I got some leather boots and grapefruit sized balls."

 

my hero conrad did 5.8 in the rockies with boots back in the day.

[curtveld]

my hero conrad did 5.8 in the rockies with boots back in the day.

Um...yeah, sure Gene...old Conrad would have just scampered right on up the Dreamer in his hobnails.

 

Now him chopping steps with a nut tool...that, I would love to watch.

 

[colt45]

Word is the road was opened up recently to the 3OC trailhead.

 

Lots of rain up there this week, so no idea if rock will be dry ...or, for that matter, if crampons are required to access routes

 

The road is indeed open and drivable to the 3 o'clock rock trailhead (and ~1.2 miles beyond). We had a great time climbing Total Soul, the route (and most of 3OC) was totally dry. There is a lot of snow at the base and an ice axe was useful -- no need for crampons though, as the snow was soft even at 8am.

 

Exfolation Dome looked pretty dry as well. We did not look at Green Giant Buttress.

 

[genepires]

the first time I did total soul, the first pitch was completely under snow. Kicked steps right up the 5.6 parts and got to the bolted belay. that was kinda cool but I guess we didn't climb "the route".

 

thanks for the photos.

 

[Jopa]

Has anyone driven past the 3 o'clock TH toward Green Giant Buttress lately? Does is still take paint off the car?

[Tyson.g]

Yes.

[Jopa]

Thanks, Tyson.

[fgw]

Was there 4th of July. The road seemed to be in best condition we've ever seen it actually. There was some tree fall blocking the final quarter mile - up to that, it seemed like someone did some major pruning on it. Here's the Dreamer TR

[Jopa]

Great TR! Did you drive past the 3 o'clock trail head? I'm thinking that a bike might be a good alternative to walking the last couple of miles (from the 3:00 TH).

[fgw]

thanks! yeah drove to within a quarter mile of the end of the road (way beyond 3 o'clock) & that section seemed quite good. don't think it's worth bringing a bike for that little extra bit of hiking (was super muddy that day too - rained past couple of days back then). have fun.

[Jopa]

Good to know. Thanks again.