Squamish & WA Pass

Bria and I were fortunate enough to align our schedules for a weeklong climbing trip together towards the end of the summer.  Our criteria included: 1) somewhere new, 2) not too hot, 3) predominately multipitch trad, 4) not long/grueling approaches (bria) and 5) close proximity to good running (me).  These factors paired with Bria visiting family in Seattle for a few days (one-way flight while I drove out a few days later) put us on a trajectory for Squamish BC for 5 days with a day at Washington Pass to break up the long drive home. 

Squamish was incredible.  The weather was nearly perfect, the rock and climbing impeccable and by being there Monday to Friday only, we only battled crowds on a single multipitch route.  We exclusively climbed moderate classics, both single and multi-pitch and had a blast.  I ran/power hiked a Chief lap most mornings which was steep, rugged and a really enjoyable way to start each day.  I’m excited to return to Squamish again and highly recommend it as a climbing destination.  Here are a few pictures from Bria’s phone since I was sans camera all trip.

the Chief (photo: bria)

climbing practically right off the shore

endless lay backing up diedre

endless splitters (photo: bria)

mid-day cribbage and siesta towards the end of the week when it got uncomfortably hot

mid-pitch lounging while waiting on slow parties ahead (photo: bria)

random walk off.  i beat up my legs (in a good way) running terrain like this each morning

chips, salsa and beer while watching the sunset on Howe Sound
after a great day of climbing.  tough to beat.  (photo: bria)

WA Pass on the drive home was also fun but very crowded on a Sunday and we were forced to modify our climbing plans on the fly after arriving at the base of our objective (SW Rib SEWS) to find a slow moving party on the first pitch and 4 additional parties cueing up at the base.  After perusing MP on the phone and considering the rack we had with us, we detoured over to the Liberty Bell/Concord Tower col, for a linkup of the Beckey Route (II 5.6 4p) on the Bell and N Face of Concord Tower (II 5.7 3p).  Despite the crowds, the climbing was fun and a very small taste of the great climbing in the Cascades I need to explore in the future.  

selfie from the main tourist overlook

N face concord tower

base of the beckey route 

one of several incredibly tame mt. goats on the trail

one of several reasons to return in the spring with skis (looking E from liberty/concord col)

summit of liberty bell.  hangry and grumpy about the slow party ahead of us
that wouldn't take a hint and let us pass (photo: bria)