- 105 0525 IMG
More Scenery Location: Little Si - 105 0524 IMG
Nice view Location: Little Si A shot of Mt. Si from the top of Goddess - 105 0523 IMG
oh my goddess Location: Little Si This was Goddess, another three-star (highest) rated climb (that's enjoyment being rated, not difficulty. this was a 5.10b as far as that goes). It started to rain right when we got to the belay station, which we had to scramble up to. You see the small patch of ground where Drew is standing? That is all of the belay area. behind it is a 6m drop to the (narrow) trail, then another 8m drop or so down to the forest floor. More on this little ledge to come. This climb was a blast, except for the top was all soggy. - 105 0522 IMG
Reptiles and Amphetamines Location: Little Si This climb lives up to its fame. Both Drew and I led it, the thing was gorgeous. Note: it is now about 8:00am, and still bone dry despite gathering clouds. - 105 0520 IMG
The launch ledge Location: Little Si This ledge, about a meter wide generously, serves as the belay point for most of the routes on WWI. The blackness you see in the picture is a 10-15 meter drop down to the trail. The guide says "no one has fallen yet, but someone's dog has. Be careful." - 105 0519 IMG
World Wall I Location: Little Si This is the wall of our first climb, "Reptiles and Amphetamines." This particular crag is said to contain, according to our trusty guidebook, "the best sport climbing in the Northwest." - 105 0516 IMG
the hike out Location: Little Si This was worth the trip just for the approach to the crags. It reminded me alot of "Harry and the Hendersons," which probably indicates some deep psychological disorder. - 105 0513 IMG
First here! Location: Little Si We got to Little Si (a small summit to the West of Mt. Si in the foothills of the Cascades) at around 6:30am, to beat the as yet non-existent crowds. - 102 0206 IMG
Look ma, no hands! Location: Gregory gym Futher evidence that climbers are, indeed, silly. - 101 0169 IMG
Wiped out Location: Gregory gym Even the largest of holds cannot sustain you forever. - 101 0197 IMG
Pretzel boy Location: Gregory gym - 101 0167 IMG
More cave action Location: Gregory gym - 101 0164 IMG
Hang tough Location: Gregory gym - drew crouched on wall
Reach for it! Location: Gregory gym at UT, Austin TX If only that jug were a little closer, I could actually reach it. - 101 0196 IMG
CLINGner Location: Gregory gym at UT, Austin TX I love big jugs. Don't we all, though, really? - 105 0549 IMG
Stick it where? Location: REI Redmond There's nothing like the feeling of wedging your hands into cracks... and then pulling up. - 105 0547 IMG
Drew gets ready for some crack Location: REI Redmond Feed the addiction. - 105 0545 IMG
How they gawk Location: REI Redmond Bryan distracts a couple of weekend adventurers with his god-like cranking ability. - 105 0544 IMG
"The Twelve" Location: REI Redmond That's what they call this climb, even though they rate it .11b/c - 105 0542 IMG
Desperate for a pump Location: REI Redmond Expelled from Little Si by rain, we stop by our second home and hop on the plastic while we're there. - 105 0541 IMG
Nice scenery Location: Little Si I just can't capture the lush, greenlike nirvana you enter when hiking in the cascades with a camera. Trust me, it's super-noot. - 105 0540 IMG
The Big Easy Location: Little Si This is a nice little 5.9 that could have been nicer if it hadn't been raining on us. It was quite long; after lowering we had only ~4m of our 60m rope left. Whew, as it were. - 105 0534 IMG
Tying in Location: Little Si To start climbing, you really need to know just one knot: the figure 8. Now if I could just remember how to tie it... - 105 0590 IMG
The three stooges Location: We Did Rock, Deception Crags - 105 0579 IMG
one last look Location: We Did Rock, Deception Crags Well, I'd say seven hours or so of deception crags is enough. off we go to return to our pale geekiness. - 105 0578 IMG
A watchful eye Location: We Did Rock, Deception Crags Bryan belays Abe. - 105 0576 IMG
I Like the Sun Location: We Did Rock, Deception Crags After climbing in the damp rain for the past two weeks, the bright sun was a welcome relief. - 105 0575 IMG
Not Just Climbers Location: the parking lot at Deception Crags It turns out that the tressle is used for all sorts of things, such as horseback riding, biking, hiking, and even riding in old country wagons. More then once a horseback rider asked us, "You actually think that's fun?!?" - 105 0573 IMG
Quite a Backdrop Location: The Tressle, Deception Crags If only all climbing areas were this beautiful. Notice how clear it is, and remember that you might never again see it this clear in Western Washington. - 105 0572 IMG
A Little Change in Elevation Location: Nevermind Wall, Deception Crags Ready to climb that mountain? ...maybe next weekend.