Spring up on Larch Mt Washington brings flowers and cool temps for climbing. On this trip we had found a new wall and a tall slab to climb on. There are also multiple boulders at the base of this wall so sending some of those was a must as well.
There is about a 15 minute hike in to these and on the way the flowers just keep on coming.
Once there a nice wall about 14 to 18 feet high with some slight overhang is waiting with good rock.
This next set of photos is from a nice line in the middle of the wall. The line is about 15 feet tall and overhangs about 10 degrees.
A couple of quick moves sets you up for an entry dino
Dino time
Big move to a good edge
Almost there
Nailed it.
To this point it is fun and not to hard. The tricky part gets started when you stick the dino.
Undercling time
Looking to set up feet
Super high feet is the key
Really high!
Lock off and bump to a small side pull.
Got it.
Dead point with the left hand now.
Stuck it time for a power climp.
Got it.
Left hand to slopy edge.
From hear it is just stand up tall and jugs to the top.
This problem is super fun and I did it twice just because. After this I had a few salmon berries and then cleaned a problem below this one that looked like it might be a classic.
This climbs up at about a 50 degree overhang on big holds all the way to the top.
So much fun multiple laps were done for sure. Just past this wall is a large slab that is about 30 feet tall and 40 feet wide. The climbing is from VB to maybe V1 but all good with lots of air under the feet.
The Slab
After lots of laps on the multiple problems on the slab this beautiful creature was discovered at the base. I hope he found lots of food. Hopping spring drys out soon keep climbing.
Cleaning boulders is just part of the process when it comes to new areas and this is even more true in the deep forest of the pacific north west. The great thing about cleaning new boulders means new problems. In this case several new problems on three new boulders. Some of these are projects and some became sends. This first problem consists of starting low on corner and following it to its top.
It starts left hand sloper right hand crimp
Lots of cross overs on this one so the movement is awesome
Stay low and use the friction.
Small seam for left and set up the nest cross.
Pinch and feet up.
Lets do this face.
Dead point to small crimp.
Big toss for the lip.
Stuck it!
Easy to the end... um no.
High step mantel finish is the solution.
Reach for a seam.
High step mantel for the send of Waterloo V3 FA
Enjoy the animation of the send of the problem. This one is a super fun problem.
Waterloo FA V3
The next problem is much easier but super fun. It will be a great on for beginners to work on with a nice flat landing.
Nice big holds up a blunt arete.
Heal hooks and jugs!
An the send is done. V1
Now that the warm ups are done it is time for some hard projecting. This one is just barley there but I did stick the moves. It will be some time before they are put together though. Strong climbers welcome.
Small holds is an understatement.
Bump to a very smooth hold. If I could get my foot up this would go. Could conditions required.
Spring last year came early and dry and I hope the dry weather comes more this year.
Out again I went to the boulders in the forest to see what I could find. I like the idea that my kids can climb out doors and find things that suit the size and abilities. When I started climbing a log while ago there was no such thing. Kids did not even have a gym to start in so this meant there were almost no kids climbing. On this day out I found things for my kids and things for me all on the same stone.
Joy eyeing the start holds.
This stone is short for most of the boulders in this area of the woods but this makes it perfect for the little ones to climb on.
Joy wishing she could find feet and climb away from me.
Maybe she will send when she is bigger. Next it was my older daughters turn to give it a try.
First some coaching from dad and a little more cleaning.
Time for her to give it a go.
Thinking about the next foot placement.
Almost there.
And Grace gets the FA of Sleeping Salamander V1
Her eyes lit up and she was so happy! I can't blame her, I love FA's myself. Next on the agenda it was time to get on the send train myself.
One of the few sit starts out hear. It sets up well though.
Nailed the toss first go. FA John Deer V3 SDS
This was a supper fun day with my daughters out in the woods. They got to climb and so did I. Looking forward to some dry weather so we call all go out again.
