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Beak Beak Beak

5.9+, Trad,  Avg: 2.5 from 19 votes
FA: unknown
Washington > Central-W Casca… > Skykomish Valley > Index > Lower Town Wall > (Cb) The Shield

Description

This right-facing corner features a hard, overhanging, flaring start with a thin-hands crack at the back. Once past this the climbing eases.

One can do the original finish by staying left or instead finish to the right on the fun upper part of Newest Industry.

Location

The prominent right-facing corner visible when looking at The Shield from the Dr. Sniff or Princely anchors.

Protection

Gear to 2", emphasis on thin-hands gear.

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

An early ascent.
[Hide Photo] An early ascent.
Looking up Beak! Beak! Beak!
[Hide Photo] Looking up Beak! Beak! Beak!

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

Geoff Georges
Seattle, WA
  5.9+
[Hide Comment] there is a pretty scary block/flake about mid way up this route that at first glance I wanted to use for gear, and then shuddered to think of it falling directly down over Japanese Gardens. After the layback start, there is a low angle section, then it starts traversing right, with the bolted slab out to your right, while you are following a slanting corner, the block is hollow behind and makes a great undercling until you look closer and it is detached but hopefully wedged there.Best to avoid it. Great route otherwise. Jul 26, 2013
Adam Wood
seattle
 
[Hide Comment] This is probably the most neglected and under appreciated 5.9 at index. Especially given its proximity on the Lower town wall. I’ve climbed it twice and IS NOT choked with black berry bushes as the 2012 description suggests. Given the millions of people climbing princely ambition they should just continue up this climb and add another 5.9 pitch. Jun 26, 2019
F Loyd
Kennewick, WA
 
[Hide Comment] The large block (2'x5') right before the roof traverse moved on me, had to stem around it. Seems like a hard pull away from the face would make it a meteor, so use caution. Aug 23, 2020