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Classic Climbs - Intermediate |
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Click images for a larger view. |
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These climbs require familiarity with a variety
of climbing techniques, a good degree of fitness and the ability
to travel quickly.
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| Celebrating
a great climb. |
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| Cutthroat
Peak, South Buttress
While often underestimated due to its moderate rating,
this ten pitch route requires speed, endurance and comfortable
shoes. With its excellent rock and great southern exposure
this is a climb to be savored and thoroughly enjoyed.
For those wishing a "big wall" experience
the ample ledges on this route make it an ideal training
ground for learning the art of the bivouac.
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High on the upper pitches of the south Buttress.
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Grade III, class 5.7
Time: 1 or 2 days
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| Liberty
Bell, Rapple Grapple
While often overlooked due to the popularity of its
nieghbor, the Beckey Route, this climb offers some of
the best quality moderate climbing on Liberty Bell.
Often combinged with an ascent of the Beckey Route,
or used as an option to avoid the crowds, this route
provides 3-4 pitches of sustained 5.7 finger and hand
crack climbing. While almost half of all ascents of
Liberty Bell take place on the Beckey Route, this climb
(only 100 feet away) is rarely done and has become a
favorite among our guides.
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Rapple Grapple climbs the obvious corner system in the
center of the photo.
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Grade II, class 5.8
Time: 1 day
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| Eldorado
Peak
 Set
in the heart of North Cascades National Park this is one of
the most heavily glaciated regions in the lower 48 states.
We hike up into a beautiful alpine basin on day one, making
camp in the shadow of Mt. Johannesburg and its tremendous
5000-foot face. The climb itself winds its way up the striking
Eldorado glacier culminating with the exhilaratingly exposed
knife-edged east ridge. Eldorado can be seen in the center
of this photo amid the massive Inspiration icecap. To see
more photos of this climb click here.
Grade II, 35 degree snow
Time: 3 days
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| Mount Shuksan,
via Fischer Chimneys
Beckey calls this a "clever and torturous route, not
technically difficult, yet involving stimulating route finding."
If you know the way it is an incredible tour of the mountain
- beginning with 4th class rock steps, crossing over three
different glaciers and culminating with the summit pyramid.
Several options exist for this, from a snow filled couloir
to an exposed rock ridge. The epitome of Northwest alpine
climbing.
Grade III - IV, class 5.0, 40 degree snow
Time: 3 days
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The route starts at the left hand side of
the photo gaining the upper Curtis Glacier and then traversing
right to the Sulphide Glacier which forms the right hand skyline. |
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| Mount Triumph,
Northeast Ridge
Triumph stands alone far up Goodel creek with some of the
best views of the Pickett range anywhere. Though the peak
is not one of the highest in the Cascades, it is quite steep
and offers moderate, yet wildly exposed climbing on the Northeast
ridge. The East face, which forms one side of the ridge overhangs
for nearly 2000' in places giving a very serious feel to this
ascent. After crossing a small glacier, the majority of the
summit day is spent climbing solid, moderate rock on the long
ridge. Calling many alpine skills into play, this is truly
one of the Cascades Classics.
Grade III , class 5.6, Glacier travel
Time: 3 days
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The route climbs the left hand skyline of
the peak after approaching from the other side of the ridge. |
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Paisano
Pinnacle West Ridge
A hidden gem popular only to those climbers in the know.
This route offers 7-8 pitches of quality, sustained crack
climbing at a moderate grade. Stunning views and spacious
belay ledges make this little known route a favorite of several
of our guides.
Grade III, Class 5.8
Time:1-2 days
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Here the West ridge can be seen just below and right of Burgundy
col. While not the highest point around it is one of the longest
routes |
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| Methow Inspiration
Route
This is a 5 pitch bolted climb on the Goat Wall. Situated
high above the Methow river, this climb offers great views
of the valley, fun climbing and a short approach. We use this
as a backup climb when its raining in the mountains, but many
people enjoy climbing it as an objective of its own. While
rated 5.9+, the cruxes are short and the majority of the climbing
is in the 5.7 - 5.8 range. To see more photos of this climb
click here.
Grade II, class 5.9+
Time: 1 days
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Here
a climber can be seen enjoying the exposure on the final pitch. |
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| Prime Rib (of Goat)
This is a new 11 pitch bolted climb on the Goat Wall.
Situated high above the Methow river, this climb offers great
views of the valley, fun climbing and a short approach. We
use this as a backup climb when its raining in the mountains,
but many people enjoy climbing it as an objective of its own.
This is a great climb to practice moving quickly on a big
route. To see more photos of this climb click here.
Grade III, class 5.8
Time: 1 days
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Frank enjoying
some exposed moves high above the Methow. |
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Southwest
Rib - SEWS
One of our favorite moderate routes at Washington Pass,this
climb offers about 8-10 pitches of great crack climbing in
the 5.6-5.8 range. WIth its SW aspect, it has a long season
and offers good exposure to the sun, thus drying quickly after
a storm. To see more photos from this route, click
here.
Grade III, Class 5.8
Time:1day
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The upper two thirds of the SW rib are visible in red in this
photo. Click for a larger view. |
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