[TR] Tatoosh Range, The Castle / Pinnacle Peak - West side of north face/East Ridge 9/19/2012

[Greg R]

Trip: Tatoosh Range, The Castle / Pinnacle Peak - West side of north face/East Ridge

 

Date: 9/19/2012

 

Trip Report:

My son and I decided to climb The Castle and Pinnacle Peak before he headed off to college. We found a good climbers trail that headed up to the basin just north of the two peaks. The basin offers great views of the two peaks and Mt. Rainier.

 

 

We went for the West side of the North face of the Castle as mentioned by pac man on his 3-20-2010 post. We climbed an easy gully until we could see the summit ridge. We picked the route as shown and came out just west of the summit. (Class 4-5).

 

 

 

There was a good belay spot there. Then we traversed the narrow ridge to the East and found the rappel station. We rappelled off the South side and then went over to the East Ridge of Pinnacle Peak.

 

 

We ascended 200' feet up the ridge. That is where we took a left and found a gully leading upwards. The pro was sketchy in the gully. Most of the rock was solid. The gully led to easier climbing to the summit.

 

 

Gear Notes:

Cams to # 3, hexes #6-8, and a set of nuts.

 

Approach Notes:

We took the Pinnacle Peak trail, going up 10 mins before going off the trail.

Edited September 23, 2012 by Greg R

[rob]

Gear Notes:

... and a set of nuts.

 

 

cool to go climbing with your kid, where is he going off to?

 

 

[kingfrankiv]

I wish my son was old enough to go climb, but at 4 months I think I have a little while. Looks like beautiful weather up there.