PNW — Day Trip to Washington Pass

(Editor’s note: Yeah, the ski gear panic season is upon us. Tree leaves are golden, a tang is in the air. Yet autumn is also the time of mixed sports. As prep for backcountry skiing we like to enjoy everything from hiking to rock climbing. Thus, we’ll mix in a few teasers that keep us thinking about our multi-fun lead up to what will hopefully be a long and powder filled season of ski touring.)

Here in the Pacific Northwest, Washington Pass is a truly incredible place. In the winter it offers some of the best pow skiing in Washington, in the spring some of the best roadside corn snow in the state, and in the summer, excellent alpine granite climbing. A short time ago we undertook a day trip to climb South Early Winters Spire, one of the raddest pieces of rock up there. We climbed the moderate, but quite fun SW rib. A stellar day. Although the weather was perfect, for whatever reason we only ran into two people on the route, and two on the descent. I’ll let the photos tell the rest, check it out!

Skyler staying balanced while descending South Early Winters Spire

Skyler approaching the base of South Early Winters Spire.

Julia climbing the “bear hug” pitch on Washington Pass.

Julia opted for the ‘a cheval’ method on the descent.

Walking down the trail at the end of the day, with Liberty Bell, Lexington, and Concord towers in the background.