The Cascade
Posted: Sun Jan 08, 2012 9:28 pmJust got back from climbing the Cascade slide. Think this is destined to be a classic (moderate) route due to Irene's handywork.
First long and second short pitch (5 minute walk from picnic area parking) are solid NEI2, but the crux is behind you without having to commit to a long approach. Then the grade moderates, but there are two or three short (10-15 ft') steps (NEI1-2) to keep it interesting as you climb the slide. Finish with a 20-30 minute walk through the trees (currently boot tracked in) that is not too onerous to Cascade summit. Like Trap Dyke without the long approach, actually seemed a lot more fun to me, because the first two pitches were a lot more sustained than the dyke which just seems like a move here and there. Get out and do this before there is a lot of snow (would make the woods section annoying and might cover over some of the ice steps).
First long and second short pitch (5 minute walk from picnic area parking) are solid NEI2, but the crux is behind you without having to commit to a long approach. Then the grade moderates, but there are two or three short (10-15 ft') steps (NEI1-2) to keep it interesting as you climb the slide. Finish with a 20-30 minute walk through the trees (currently boot tracked in) that is not too onerous to Cascade summit. Like Trap Dyke without the long approach, actually seemed a lot more fun to me, because the first two pitches were a lot more sustained than the dyke which just seems like a move here and there. Get out and do this before there is a lot of snow (would make the woods section annoying and might cover over some of the ice steps).