Beacon

Got out to Beacon Rock for the first time yesterday. For those of you who don't know, Beacon is closed for half the year due to Peregrine Falcon nesting. This was day two of the season. We really lucked out the the crowds and the weather, as the clouds rolled in to keep things from heating up to the projected 90's; and everyone had been out the day before so we had the crag to ourselves. It's a shame that it is only open half the year because the climbing there is very good. I have been pleasantly surprised over and over again with the quality of the local climbing around Portland, and this was no exception. The only drawback is that the rock is a bit on the "scruffy" side. If only it weren't closed for half the year... With about 150 routes (up to 4 or 5 pitches) I think I'm going to be spending a lot of time out there. I'll post some more photos soon.

CBR

I'm getting pretty excited about the upcoming trip to Leavenworth. I have a huge list of routes that I'd like to climb, but I also think It's such a beautiful place to be that it really doesn't matter what you are climbing. Here are some photos of the West Face of Colchuck Balanced Rock (CBR) from last summer. We got rained off on our first day and then slept in too late and a party hiked in and actually beat us to the route the next day. We kind of felt like slackers but it was fun to have some company on the route.

Colchuck Lake and Dragontail Peak.

The bivy boulder below CBR.

Blake on the short 5.10 fingers of pitch one.

Me following the long 5.9 corner.

Blake starting up the amazing 5.11 corner. The first of the crux picthes.

Me.

Mt. Stuey.

Another climber on the corner pitch.

Ladies and gentlemen, Blake Herrington.

The soaking wet roof traverse.

More climbers following us up the corner.

The crux pitch takes a striking 5.9+ corner up to a short but wild roof.

The 5.8+ slot after the roof. Some people call this the crux. This guy probably thought so since he's facing the wrong way.

Blake pops into the sun after the 5.8 slot.

Quick descent back to base camp.

Dragon's of Eden, anyone?

Colchuck Lake.

10 Days...

It seems like all I've been doing for the past few months is working... Haven't had many good photos to share. But in ten day's I'll be heading up to Leavenworth so I should have some good stuff to post at the end of the trip. The new PRG site which I've been taking photos for should be up and running soon.