PRINT: Rock Climb Ellie's Sweet Kiss, Central-West Cascades & Seattle

Ellie's Sweet Kiss

5.9+, Sport, 75 ft (23 m),

Avg: 2.8 from 174 votes
FA: Leland Windham, Garth Bruce & Bryan Burdo (2002)
Washington > Central-W Casca… > N Bend & Vicinity > Exit 38 > Far Side > Interstate Park > (c) Eastern Block

Description

A few moves in a shallow corner lead to a jug haul with a few ledges to the top of Eastern Block.

Location

The second route from the left on Eastern Block's upper belay terrace, which begins just left of Hurricane, an obvious roof. Begins in a leaning slabby corner to the right of a small prow with a bolt.

Protection

7 bolts, chain anchor with loweroffs.

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

White: Displacement
<br>
Teal: Hurricane
<br>
Blue: Gutter Grab
<br>
Green: Rider on the Storm
<br>
Orange: Violent Threats From The Guidebook Bully
<br>
Yellow: Ellie's Sweet Kiss
<br>
Purple: The Ruins of War
<br>
Red: Ghosts of War
<br>
Pink: Piece Maker

White: Displacement Teal: Hurricane Blue: Gutter Grab Green: Rider on the Storm Orange: Violent Threats From The Guidebook Bully Yellow: Ellie's Sweet Kiss Purple: The Ruins of War Red: Ghos…

The route (top rope is on Ellie's Sweet Kiss, but there's an anchor as marked to only top rope this route)

Ellie's Sweet Kiss and EB-1

Ellie's Sweet Kiss

Photo from the bottom of Ellie's Sweet Kiss with top rope set up.

The snag on the right can be used to locate the pitch.

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

gregman

5.10a

Fun longer climb! They may have added a bolt recently near the anchors, because there was definitely 7 bolts when I climbed it yesterday. I wouldn't exactly say there are no cruxes because there are some interesting moves when you are leading it, but it's certainly an easy top rope for any confident beginner. Sep 2, 2012

Richard Bone

5.9+ PG13

This was my first lead at exit 38. I second gregman on there being 7 bolts. Also, someone seems to have placed a bolt right above the anchor. I'm guessing someone really likes having their own clip in for a PAS? The climb is fun and exposed, with there not really being any difficult moves, just a little heady leading it. May 3, 2013

Geoff Georges
Seattle, WA

5.9

this is a fun route, however suffers from poor bolt placement, be careful and maybe use long runners. Nov 4, 2014

Speckid

3rd bolt from the floor (the one that protrudes from the obvious lip) is quite a bit 'wiggly'. Also the last bolt before the chains is a TINY bit loose as well. Be safe out there. Super fun route. May 26, 2017

Chris Stocking
SLC, UT

Someone seems to have added a bolt to the arete that's inbetween the start of Ellie's Sweet Kiss and EB-1 (ie, Violent Threats from the Guidebook Bully). Going directly up the arete (rather than starting in the shallow corner for Ellie's Sweet Kiss) adds a fun, balancy V2-ish boulder problem to the start. Mar 16, 2020

Gosh Glance
Seattle, WA

5.9

@Chris, FYI- that bolt on the prow is a different route. It's not on MP but it's Contrivance Direct (5.9PG). Get a guidebook and check it out!! Jun 2, 2020

Kyle O

5.9

Best climb in the vicinity. Consecutive roofs on jugs. Bolts a little farther spaced out than other routes around it but still a safe climb. No harder than 5.9, IMO. Sep 27, 2020

Rob Basanta
Everett, WA

I agree with most everyone, bolt locations are kind of strange, but the climb is super fun. I would say at most this is a 5.9 route. Jun 24, 2021

Daniel Chode Rider
Truck, Wenatchee

5.9

hella soft for 10a Sep 23, 2021

Shawn S
Seattle WA

Climbs Great! Lots of the upper flakes sound pretty hollow, tread lightly up there Jul 24, 2022

Isaac Roter
Toyota, Sienna

This is a fun and tall route for the confident/competent 5.9 leader. A little too chossy to get three stars but topping out the formation was quite satisfying. Jul 21, 2025