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Trip Report    

Basic Rock Climb - South Early Winter Spire/South Arête

A group of eight of us round tripped the SEWS/S. Arete on Saturday in great weather. Great views of lots of inspiring objectives from the top!

Michael Nanney
June 17, 2019
  • Road suitable for all vehicles

  • The primary hazard on this trip were the mosquitos on the approach.  Otherwise the lower trail is perfectly clear and the trail work over the last couple of years is fantastic.  Some snow between the slabs and the final trail to the base of the climb.

The either of us set out from the trailhead a bit after 6:00 on Saturday and made good time to the base of the route.  The new trail work is fantastic and straight forward.

We climbed the route in four rope teams of two, pitching out to the top of the chimney and then simul'ing with coils until the whaleback.IMG_E3746.JPGMost groups simul'd across the whaleback and set up and anchor on the far side to belay our seconds over. 

IMG_E3749.JPGFrom there it is a very straight forward and quick shortrope scramble around the top of the couloir to the summit.  Summit Sour Patch kids were eaten, selfies taken, Peak Finder plans made, and then we reversed course for the downclimbs and raps to get back down. 

Everyone did great, the weather was terrific, and I think we all left looking forward to our next trip to North Cascades/Washington Pass and all the fun things there are to do up there!