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> N Early Winter Spire
Chockstone Route
5.7 YDS 5a French 15 Ewbanks V+ UIAA 13 ZA MVS 4b British Easy Snow
Avg: 1.7 from 34 votes
Type: | Trad, Snow, Alpine, 600 ft (182 m), 6 pitches |
FA: | Dick Widrig, Pete Schoening, and Wes Grande 1950 |
Page Views: | 2,944 total · 31/month |
Shared By: | Joe Manning on Jun 28, 2016 |
Admins: | Jon Nelson, Micah Klesick, Zachary Winters |
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Access Issue: Washington Pass Fire Closure Lifted
Details
Washington Pass Climbing was closed on 8/15/23 due to the Blue Lake Fire until further notice. On 9/7/23 this closure was reduced in size. On 9/22 this was reduced again, opening all WA Climbing Routes. For remaining closures, see:
fs.usda.gov/alerts/okawen/a…
fs.usda.gov/alerts/okawen/a…
Access Issue: Seasonal Raptor Closure at Newhalem Crags March 1st to mid-July
Details
Peregrine falcons select nest sites on cliffs in the Upper Skagit Valley, including the Climbing Management Areas of Newhalem West (Ryan’s Wall) and Newhalem East. As required in the NPS Superintendent’s Compendium, these areas will be closed to all public from March 1st to July 15th of each year, or until the young falcons have fledged or NPS staff have determined that nesting will not occur on a specific wall during this period. Access Fund, Washington Climbers Coalition and NPS partner on a volunteer raptor monitoring program to determine nesting activity. Contact the NPS and/or WCC for updates.
Description
This route ascends the left side of the enormous chockstones between the North and South Early Winter Spires before taking easy and slightly loose chimney weaknesses to the summit plateau. The first pitch climbs a low angle slab with layback crack (best to scramble), followed by a 200 foot section of walking up the gulley (snow in early season) towards the giant chockstone. A pitch of 5.7 bypasses the chockstone on the left. Belay at a selection of boulders, or the rappel bolts on the chockstone. The couloir continues above (moderately steep snow, ice axe/crampons in early season, rubble walking mid-late summer) to another chockstone, which is passed on the left up a golden 5.0 ramp. Belay at rappel bolts, or continue right to belay higher, then up gulley/ 5.4 chimney systems to the summit plateau for ~2 pitches (easily simul-climbed, much loose rock). The summit is 3rd/4th class scramble from the top of the chimney system.
Location
Locate the route between the North and South Early Winter Spires on the west side of the formations.
Route climbs up towards and around the giant chockstone.
Rappel starts 30m down and skiers right of where the route tops out. 4 bolted rap stations with 60m rope and one tree rap down the 5.0 slab at the start.
Route climbs up towards and around the giant chockstone.
Rappel starts 30m down and skiers right of where the route tops out. 4 bolted rap stations with 60m rope and one tree rap down the 5.0 slab at the start.
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