Trip Report

Basic Rock Climb - Slippery Slab Tower/Northeast Face

Great basic rock climb with a steady approach from the Surprise Creek Trailhead and two short, straightforward pitches. The next group should bring ~20' of webbing or cord to reinforce the upper rappel anchor around a huge boulder.

Liz Louis

July 20, 2025

Date: Sat, Jul 19, 2025
Activity: Basic Rock Climb - Slippery Slab Tower/Northeast Face
Route/Place: Slippery Slab Tower/Northeast Face
Activity Type: Climbing
Trip Result: Successful
Rating:

Road Conditions: Road suitable for all vehicles
Route Conditions:
- We did a out and back from the Surprise Creek Trailhead. The shuttle option sounds fun too: park at Surprise Creek Trailhead and shuttle up US-2 to start from Tunnel Creek Trailhead--offering more time on the PCT with reportedly better views in clear weather
- Surprise Creek Trail has lots of brush encroaching on the trail (long pants recommended) and abundant blueberries & salmon berries
- A variety of bugs (including mosquitos) swarmed when we stopped, especially near Surprise Lake and Trap Pass
- From the Surprise Creek Trailhead, ascending on the Surprise Creek Trail, the last point to fill water was near the intersection of the Surprise Creek Trail and Trap Pass Trail (47.67086, -121.13724)
- Small sections of snow remain near the base of the climb, offering a few drips of water and some muddy puddles. We had no problem walking across about 25' of low angle snow in trail runners
- We ended the second pitch above the upper rappel station, after climbing an easy slab, using a small tree/shrub as an anchor. On the descent, we set a hand line for the team to descend from this anchor down to the upper rappel station
- The upper rappel station, around a huge boulder, could use another piece of webbing or cord (~20')