SawtoothSean - Sep 3, 2014 10:57 pm Date Climbed: Aug 30, 2014
Weather
Pretty easy access from PCT onto ridge then some easy 5th moves. Hardest part was first few moves on rotten rock, yet still didn';t rope up. Summit was cool, but we were in and out of clouds. Scrambled all the way down to last rap station.
triyoda - Jul 15, 2014 12:05 am Date Climbed: Jul 12, 2014
Harder than I thought
We went off route on the second pitch (really bad beta), made for some dicey climbing. Overall the rock quality is generally good if you stay on the correct route and the only serious exposure is the end of the first pitch as you climb out of the ramp. Great views. We descended the scree field, this was a really bad idea, it is not recommended, very dangerous IMO.
Be careful on this one. I soloed this and then brought my gf up; a bit of easy 5th but most scrambling on crappy rock. But as we were on our way down a noob came flying off the end of his rappel and almost knocked my gf off a ledge.
bedellympian - Aug 22, 2013 1:19 am Date Climbed: Jun 1, 2013
Climbed via SouthEast Spur 5.5 in approach shoes in July. Approach required crampons and ice ax for permanent snowfields. Car to Car required about 12 hours. We climbed the SE Spur with approx. 15 pitches and several short rope sections. Technical climbing took about 4 hours. The descent was easy with 2 nice raps and a little down climbing. I would recommend 2 trekking poles for the descent. Also, mosquitos are bad so bring repellant. Also, rock quality on the SE Spur is descent, it's not as bad as people may claim. Lots of anchor building options and pro placement.
rick6003 - Jul 28, 2013 11:40 am Date Climbed: Jul 27, 2013
Mt Washington
Climbed Mt Washington with friends from my meetup group, Northwest Wilderness. It was a perfect weather day and we all had a great time. A first Summit for Katya and a summit that required some actual climbing for another lady. She did Mt Shasta a few weeks ago.
Being new to climbing myself , I thought it was a bit tougher than Three Finger Jack, we set rope for protection on 3 pitches. The rappels down were fun except on the last one the wind was coming up hard. The rope kept blowing around the side of the mountain. As for bad rock. Not having a lot of experience for qualifications, I thought the mountain has just gotten a bad reputation.
Want to add that I would agree with Nick's comment completely.
cyffredinol - Jul 27, 2013 2:49 am Date Climbed: Jul 20, 2013
watch out for falling rocks!
Another great trip with Karl and the gang. Met at least four other groups on the mountain. Dodged quite a lot of rocks kicked down by one of them. A fun climb in perfect weather.
Nick Turtura - Oct 7, 2012 1:21 am Date Climbed: Sep 9, 2012
Sweet climb
The approach was pretty crappy. The cairn on the PCT was easy to find, but the climbers trail was terribly overgrown and unmaintained. So pay attention, we lost the trail 8 or 9 times. Once we gained the ridge it was easy to approach the summit block. Then the fun begins. SP says to take the second ramp, but in reality there is a small ramp that they don't mention so you should really take the third ramp. The second isn't bad but there is a lot of exposure. The third was a class 4. After that it's pretty easy sailing. Don't be intimidated by all the hype. This rock is not too hard and very rewarding. Have fun and be safe.
santanoni - Jan 13, 2012 11:57 am Date Climbed: Aug 10, 2011
North Ridge
We set a fixed line for the sketchy part. I was glad to have it as the fall is substantial and the holds, while plentiful, can be questionable. Rappelled on the way down, fun climb.
First climbed the North Ridge back in 1971. Over the next three decades climbed West Face, King Rat, Chimney of Space, South Face, South Face Dihedral, Southeast Spur and East Buttress.
Over the years have bivied (intentionally )on top four times - neat spot.
iquest4it - Dec 25, 2010 5:02 am Date Climbed: Sep 20, 2009
2nd Time's a Charm
This mountain kicked our butts the first time. We came from the southern Lava fields for the fun of it and tried the south wall, but we didn't have enough pro, so we backed around and ran out of time looking for the north route. This time we climbed right up it from the north with no problem.
Pallando - Aug 20, 2010 5:28 pm Date Climbed: Aug 14, 2010
North Ridge
Took a friend up. Had an awesome time, made it back down to catch a catamaran ride back to camp.
Karl Helser - Jul 20, 2010 10:48 am Date Climbed: Jul 18, 2010
North Ridge...
Dian, John, and I had the mountain to ourselves all day...
Perfect weather, although a bit windy at the notch as well as the first pitch. I ended up carrying the rope on the rappel because it was impossible to throw. Mosquitoes were bad at the trailhead to the ridge but nonexistent from the ridge to the summit. We took the screeway back which had a couple of snow traverses, but still much better than descending the ridge.
First time leading this climb...
No snow on the ascent.
millsb40 - Jun 30, 2010 1:24 pm Date Climbed: Jun 29, 2010
North Ridge (Nightmare)
I had read (almost) everything I could on Mt. Washington before my trip (except this page). The weather was nice, but clouds moved in as we hit the summit block (it was windy and cold when the clouds moved in). Anyway, I didn't read enough and poor visibility didn't help, but went the first (wrong) left leaning ramp. Don't take the ramp that takes off from the saddle (unless you like poor protection and dangerous exposure). This leads to a bulge that you must go over with questionable protection. The first protection was a double sling clove hitch on a fairly decent horn. There was no other possible protection after this. Had to climb rotten stuff up and over with no more pro. I chose to move left for a second, much more questionable horn, which I slung with a girth hitch. This sent you up a scree/rubble/rock shoot with 1500' exposure to the rappel rock. As mentioned below NOT recommended! Unfortunately, I went up a bit too far before realizing no one in their right mind would climb this and then had no intentions of down climbing that garbage (especially with the "Stellar" protection). Of course weather cleared on summit and it became pretty obvious we had taken the wrong route. I would avoid this route like the plague.
kraymes - May 20, 2010 1:10 pm Date Climbed: Jul 25, 2007
North Ridge
Solo up and rapped down. Good times.
Snowslogger - Dec 28, 2009 12:38 am Date Climbed: Jul 3, 1992
Another good one
Climbed this with Sally and a bunch of my original Oregon climbing buddies. Went up a second time a couple years later. A fun mtn.
alpinedon - Nov 21, 2009 7:35 pm Date Climbed: Sep 7, 2008
North Ridge
Finally getting around to entering all my old summits...did this one over a year ago, fun climb with my climbing partner Scott C. Very windy day, but overall lots of fun. Didn't use the rope, but would use a 1/2 rope for the rappel next time.
rmick25 - Sep 4, 2009 4:12 pm Date Climbed: Aug 22, 2009
Great fun!
What a beautiful day hike. Everything went perfect on way up. Nice and cool for Aug. Then on descent after rappelling main summit block my buddy peeled of a huge chunk of rock and took quite a spill. Fortunately he was wearing a helmet and the big chunks of rock missed him and he didn't tumble down the next cliff band. I then took a smaller spill and bashed myself up all over. Gotta love Cascade rock!
SawtoothSean - Sep 3, 2014 10:57 pm Date Climbed: Aug 30, 2014
WeatherPretty easy access from PCT onto ridge then some easy 5th moves. Hardest part was first few moves on rotten rock, yet still didn';t rope up. Summit was cool, but we were in and out of clouds. Scrambled all the way down to last rap station.
triyoda - Jul 15, 2014 12:05 am Date Climbed: Jul 12, 2014
Harder than I thoughtWe went off route on the second pitch (really bad beta), made for some dicey climbing. Overall the rock quality is generally good if you stay on the correct route and the only serious exposure is the end of the first pitch as you climb out of the ramp. Great views. We descended the scree field, this was a really bad idea, it is not recommended, very dangerous IMO.
Andinistaloco - Jul 8, 2014 12:16 am
Loose as hellBe careful on this one. I soloed this and then brought my gf up; a bit of easy 5th but most scrambling on crappy rock. But as we were on our way down a noob came flying off the end of his rappel and almost knocked my gf off a ledge.
bedellympian - Aug 22, 2013 1:19 am Date Climbed: Jun 1, 2013
North Ridgesolo
deathzonescience - Jul 30, 2013 1:55 pm Date Climbed: Jul 6, 2013
SouthEast SpurClimbed via SouthEast Spur 5.5 in approach shoes in July. Approach required crampons and ice ax for permanent snowfields. Car to Car required about 12 hours. We climbed the SE Spur with approx. 15 pitches and several short rope sections. Technical climbing took about 4 hours. The descent was easy with 2 nice raps and a little down climbing. I would recommend 2 trekking poles for the descent. Also, mosquitos are bad so bring repellant. Also, rock quality on the SE Spur is descent, it's not as bad as people may claim. Lots of anchor building options and pro placement.
rick6003 - Jul 28, 2013 11:40 am Date Climbed: Jul 27, 2013
Mt WashingtonClimbed Mt Washington with friends from my meetup group, Northwest Wilderness. It was a perfect weather day and we all had a great time. A first Summit for Katya and a summit that required some actual climbing for another lady. She did Mt Shasta a few weeks ago.
Being new to climbing myself , I thought it was a bit tougher than Three Finger Jack, we set rope for protection on 3 pitches. The rappels down were fun except on the last one the wind was coming up hard. The rope kept blowing around the side of the mountain. As for bad rock. Not having a lot of experience for qualifications, I thought the mountain has just gotten a bad reputation.
Want to add that I would agree with Nick's comment completely.
cyffredinol - Jul 27, 2013 2:49 am Date Climbed: Jul 20, 2013
watch out for falling rocks!Another great trip with Karl and the gang. Met at least four other groups on the mountain. Dodged quite a lot of rocks kicked down by one of them. A fun climb in perfect weather.
Nick Turtura - Oct 7, 2012 1:21 am Date Climbed: Sep 9, 2012
Sweet climbThe approach was pretty crappy. The cairn on the PCT was easy to find, but the climbers trail was terribly overgrown and unmaintained. So pay attention, we lost the trail 8 or 9 times. Once we gained the ridge it was easy to approach the summit block. Then the fun begins. SP says to take the second ramp, but in reality there is a small ramp that they don't mention so you should really take the third ramp. The second isn't bad but there is a lot of exposure. The third was a class 4. After that it's pretty easy sailing. Don't be intimidated by all the hype. This rock is not too hard and very rewarding. Have fun and be safe.
santanoni - Jan 13, 2012 11:57 am Date Climbed: Aug 10, 2011
North RidgeWe set a fixed line for the sketchy part. I was glad to have it as the fall is substantial and the holds, while plentiful, can be questionable. Rappelled on the way down, fun climb.
Infected Mushroom - Sep 18, 2011 10:02 pm
A quick jaunt up N ridgeReal fun climb with short approach. Belayed a short bit then scrambled.
JGHarrison - Aug 22, 2011 12:31 am Date Climbed: Aug 21, 2011
Nice flowersNot much in the way of mosquitoes cept at twilight and early morning. Wildflowers were gorgeous.
RetroGear - Jan 9, 2011 11:21 pm
Mulple Times -Multiple RoutesFirst climbed the North Ridge back in 1971. Over the next three decades climbed West Face, King Rat, Chimney of Space, South Face, South Face Dihedral, Southeast Spur and East Buttress.
Over the years have bivied (intentionally )on top four times - neat spot.
iquest4it - Dec 25, 2010 5:02 am Date Climbed: Sep 20, 2009
2nd Time's a CharmThis mountain kicked our butts the first time. We came from the southern Lava fields for the fun of it and tried the south wall, but we didn't have enough pro, so we backed around and ran out of time looking for the north route. This time we climbed right up it from the north with no problem.
Pallando - Aug 20, 2010 5:28 pm Date Climbed: Aug 14, 2010
North RidgeTook a friend up. Had an awesome time, made it back down to catch a catamaran ride back to camp.
Karl Helser - Jul 20, 2010 10:48 am Date Climbed: Jul 18, 2010
North Ridge...Dian, John, and I had the mountain to ourselves all day...
Perfect weather, although a bit windy at the notch as well as the first pitch. I ended up carrying the rope on the rappel because it was impossible to throw. Mosquitoes were bad at the trailhead to the ridge but nonexistent from the ridge to the summit. We took the screeway back which had a couple of snow traverses, but still much better than descending the ridge.
First time leading this climb...
No snow on the ascent.
millsb40 - Jun 30, 2010 1:24 pm Date Climbed: Jun 29, 2010
North Ridge (Nightmare)I had read (almost) everything I could on Mt. Washington before my trip (except this page). The weather was nice, but clouds moved in as we hit the summit block (it was windy and cold when the clouds moved in). Anyway, I didn't read enough and poor visibility didn't help, but went the first (wrong) left leaning ramp. Don't take the ramp that takes off from the saddle (unless you like poor protection and dangerous exposure). This leads to a bulge that you must go over with questionable protection. The first protection was a double sling clove hitch on a fairly decent horn. There was no other possible protection after this. Had to climb rotten stuff up and over with no more pro. I chose to move left for a second, much more questionable horn, which I slung with a girth hitch. This sent you up a scree/rubble/rock shoot with 1500' exposure to the rappel rock. As mentioned below NOT recommended! Unfortunately, I went up a bit too far before realizing no one in their right mind would climb this and then had no intentions of down climbing that garbage (especially with the "Stellar" protection). Of course weather cleared on summit and it became pretty obvious we had taken the wrong route. I would avoid this route like the plague.
kraymes - May 20, 2010 1:10 pm Date Climbed: Jul 25, 2007
North RidgeSolo up and rapped down. Good times.
Snowslogger - Dec 28, 2009 12:38 am Date Climbed: Jul 3, 1992
Another good oneClimbed this with Sally and a bunch of my original Oregon climbing buddies. Went up a second time a couple years later. A fun mtn.
alpinedon - Nov 21, 2009 7:35 pm Date Climbed: Sep 7, 2008
North RidgeFinally getting around to entering all my old summits...did this one over a year ago, fun climb with my climbing partner Scott C. Very windy day, but overall lots of fun. Didn't use the rope, but would use a 1/2 rope for the rappel next time.
rmick25 - Sep 4, 2009 4:12 pm Date Climbed: Aug 22, 2009
Great fun!What a beautiful day hike. Everything went perfect on way up. Nice and cool for Aug. Then on descent after rappelling main summit block my buddy peeled of a huge chunk of rock and took quite a spill. Fortunately he was wearing a helmet and the big chunks of rock missed him and he didn't tumble down the next cliff band. I then took a smaller spill and bashed myself up all over. Gotta love Cascade rock!