North Early Winter Spire

Early Winter Spires. Photo by Blitzo.

Description 

Nearly as impressive as its neighbor, the North Early Winter Spire tends to be less popular because it has no easy way up or down. Nevertheless, it has many excellent routes and the summit view is great. The quality of the granite is very good.

Getting There 

Most of the routes on North Early Winter are on the west side, so approaching via the Blue Lake Trail is best. The approach will take most parties 1-2 hours. The descent route scrambles down south and west of the summit, then takes several rappels down to the Southwest Coulour between North and South Early Winter, from which some scrambling and one more short rappel bring you back to the ground.

Featured Route For North Early Winter Spire

The West Face 5.11-  WA : North Cascades : Washington Pass

This and the neighboring Northwest Corner Route are two of the finest alpine rock climbs I have had the pleasure to yet accomplish. Great movement, committing moves, huge exposure, beautiful position: some of the best climbs in the Washington Pass area.The West Face shares its first pitch with the Northwest Corner, a somewhat dirty face up to a chimney with trees above (5.8). From here, move the belay up 3rd class terrain to a huge sandy ledge ...[more]