Last week I had the good fortune of climbing with Jennifer and Heather at Washington Pass, in the eastern portion of the North Cascades. This area is known for granite climbing fairly close to the road. Due to its east side location, the area frequently gets better weather than the west side of the range. On this trip, the weather stayed just dry enough for us to squeak in two classic climbs of the area; the South Buttress of Cutthroat Peak and the South Arete of South Early Winter Spire.
Here is Heather and Jennifer gearing up at 6:30am for our Cutthroat Climb. Note the clouds building up the valley in the background.
The approach goes up a beautiful meadow on the way up to the peak. We had our raingear on to get through the woods and the creek, as the bushes were soaked.
As we got up higher, the weather got a bit better and we got a great view of the peak which is on the right in this photo.
Out of the first notch on the ridge, we had some great 5.7 climbing. Heather is busting the moves.
The route has some good wide sized cracks on it. Jennifer is loving it (even if she thinks she's not).
Coming to the summit, it began to rain. It was light at first, but then turned into gore-tex weather.
Jennifer and Heather on the summit of Cutthroat. Its getting wetter!
Rapping in the rain, but still smiling!
Day 2 had much better weather than Day 1, even the forecast was worse. Heather and Jennifer are all smiles on the approach even after a big day the day before.
Heather, so happy that we're climbing.
The South Arete has some nice granite climbing. This is pitch one.
The route follows several moderate chimneys. Jennifer is happy to have made it up this one!
The classic "au cheval" section of the route.
Again, the sun started coming out near the top of the route, and we enjoyed mostly dry rock.
Heather all smiles on the summit.
Jennifer looking satisfied after 2 days of great climbing at "the pass".
Thanks for a great trip ladies!
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