Trip Report
Intro to Drytooling - Baker Crags
Drytool clinic hosted at Baker crags
Doug Brittain
- Sat, Nov 15, 2025
- Intro to Drytooling - Exit 38/Drytool Crag
- Exit 38
- Climbing
- Successful
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- Road suitable for all vehicles
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Trip Report: Dry Tooling Clinic at Baker Crags
The weather was classic Pacific Northwest—gray skies and the constant threat of rain. Our original plan was to host the clinic at Wayne's World, but after reviewing Friday afternoon’s forecast, we decided to pivot to a drier venue. Baker Crags became our backup plan, with less than a tenth of an inch of rain predicted and the possibility of sunbreaks.
We arrived at the crag around 9:15 AM. One instructor gathered the group to review safety protocols and outline the day’s learning objectives, while the other two instructors set up top ropes. By 9:45, we split the group into two teams: one headed to Katie’s Corner, the other to The Crack.
The first focus of the day was footwork with crampons—emphasizing precise placements and balance. After each participant completed a lap with this focus, we shifted attention to tool placements. Finally, we brought it all together, encouraging climbers to integrate both foot and tool techniques.
Due to the last-minute venue change, we had limited beginner-friendly routes available, which meant students needed more rest between laps. This gave us time to dive deeper into technique: keeping arms straight, using shoulder twists to gain reach, and emphasizing upward movement through solid footwork rather than pulling with tools.
Despite the weather and route constraints, the day was a success. Students rotated through five different routes, each offering unique movement challenges and placement opportunities. They left with a solid foundation in dry tooling safety, movement efficiency, and how to identify common outdoor pick placements.