By Tim Nelson Aug 25, 2008
| This area is not called Bald Mt. It is called Coal Mt. to be specific. There is potential for bouldering here albeit ankle snapper terrain for sure. You would welcome having several pads. It is currently the site of some moderate route developement as well. Most of the routes are single pitch and much of those are in the sub 5.10 range. With a few acceptions, noteably a few 2-3 pitch gems, this crag will never be a destination. Its best attribute is its position. The crags location, being at 3,300 feet and back in the hills a bit, give it a kind of sub alpine feel which makes for a peaceful day- much like a mini Darrington. The driving directions were accurate enough, but the name of the road is worth mentioning. Take a right onto Finney/Cumberland Rd. For your information this road, if taken all the way over the pass-which is sort of where you park, will deposite you either in Oso to the right, or the Sauk River road to the left. A well known pass to locals for its beauty, camping, off road driving, and for some, hunting. This is one of a few surviving and truely wonderful off pavement drives in the upper Skagit region. Most of the other lowland fire roads that access good rock have been closed down due, in large part, to "Whisky Tango" garbage dumping cheap bastard red neck lazy asses. However, I'm quite convenced that climbers, in general, pack it out. Please continue this reputation. I am just old enough to have seen lots of good stuff vanish. |