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PNW — Day Trip to Washington Pass

by Louie Dawson September 30, 2015
written by Louie Dawson September 30, 2015

(Editor’s note: Yeah, the ski gear panic season is upon us. Tree leaves are golden, a tang is in the air. Yet autumn is also the time of mixed sports. As prep for backcountry skiing we like to enjoy everything from hiking to rock climbing. Thus, we’ll mix in a few teasers that keep us thinking about our multi-fun lead up to what will hopefully be a long and powder filled season of ski touring.)

Here in the Pacific Northwest, Washington Pass is a truly incredible place. In the winter it offers some of the best pow skiing in Washington, in the spring some of the best roadside corn snow in the state, and in the summer, excellent alpine granite climbing. A short time ago we undertook a day trip to climb South Early Winters Spire, one of the raddest pieces of rock up there. We climbed the moderate, but quite fun SW rib. A stellar day. Although the weather was perfect, for whatever reason we only ran into two people on the route, and two on the descent. I’ll let the photos tell the rest, check it out!

Skyler staying balanced while descending South Early Winters Spire

Skyler staying balanced while descending South Early Winters Spire

Skyler approaching the base of South Early Winters Spire.

Skyler approaching the base of South Early Winters Spire.

Julia Climbing the "bear hug" pitch on Washington Pass.

Julia climbing the “bear hug” pitch on Washington Pass.

Julia opted for the  A cheval method on the descent.

Julia opted for the ‘a cheval’ method on the descent.

Walking down the trail at the end of the day, with Liberty bell, Lexington, and Concord towers in the background.

Walking down the trail at the end of the day, with Liberty Bell, Lexington, and Concord towers in the background.

Louie Dawson

Louie Dawson earned his Bachelor Degree in Industrial Design from Western Washington University in 2014. When he’s not skiing Mount Baker or somewhere equally as snowy, he’s thinking about new products to make ski mountaineering more fun and safe.

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