Category Archives
Fun at Vertical World
November 05, 2006
On this rainy Sunday afternoon, there was an impromptu gathering at Vertical World, and lots of Bushwhackers were there, all swapping up partners and climbing with each other. It was so fun to see everyone. Laurie, Doug, Seth, Carla, Jill, Keith, Doxey, Jackie, Frederic, Katie and her friend, Amy and her friend Jen - whew, it was great!
Posted by dkemp at 10:42 PM
Cragging at Vantage
October 23, 2006
Frederic and Doxey made a day of cragging at Vantage. Good times! We climbed Choss Master and other routes. Also, Frederic got to lead his first bolted 5.8, the aptly named Vantage Point. Fantastic!
Posted by dkemp at 08:28 AM
Seth and Ian visit Index
October 03, 2006
On Saturday, Seth and Ian, their friend Dylan, and Dylan's Dad(!), met up for some sunny rock climbing in Index. They climbed a route named Slow Children, a 5.10d finger crack. Wow!
Dylan leads the pitch
Ian ponders the route
In this photo, Ian studies the Bushwhacker Club Articles of Incorporation. 
"Hmmm... how does one become president of this organization?"
Posted by dkemp at 10:02 AM
More Cragging at Tieton
October 02, 2006
Doxey, Doug H, Sandy and Randy K piled into Sandy's car and trekked over to Tieton's Royal Columns Sunday. Sandy led Good Timer and Western Front. Randy led Double Trouble and Slacker. I was feeling really good, and so led Mushmaker, 5.7, and Jam Exam, 5.9. Royal Columns was not at all crowded - two other parties in the morning, and in the afternoon we had the crag all to ourselves. All agreed, it was a great day out.
Posted by dkemp at 09:59 AM
Cragging at Tieton
September 18, 2006
Seth, Frederic, Keith and Doxey took a day to go cragging at Tieton's Royal Columns. Frederic and Doxey stayed on the easier stuff, like Western Front and Nimrod's Nemesis, while Seth and Keith took on more difficult climbs. Seth led the roof on Render Us Weightless - wow! And Keith led the area classic Inca Roads. It was a great day out there!
Here is a photo of Keith leading Inca Roads. It's a butt-shot so it won't win any awards, but hey, its Inca Roads. I just had to take a picture!
Posted by dkemp at 12:05 PM
Luna Peak!
August 31, 2006
Last week our friends Seth, Shail, Shauna and Steve climbed to the south summit of Luna Peak.
Cool photo by Seth P
Posted by dkemp at 04:40 PM
West MacMillan
Laurie, Beth, and their friend Karen are now Picketeers! The three climbed West MacMillan Spire. Says Laurie,
We spent about an hour at the top looking around at the north cascade jewels then back to camp.
Must have been a great trip.
It was fantastic. The trail is steep but we took our time and still made good time.
Good job! 
Posted by dkemp at 04:05 PM
Ptarmigan Ptraverse
August 21, 2006
Our friends Sandy and Steve M and friends completed the Ptarmigan Traverse last week. Steve said they had a great time.
A couple photos by Steve M:
Posted by dkemp at 11:24 AM
Rona's Summer of Adventure
August 11, 2006
Rona and Jeff climbed Saber at Castle Rock the other day. Says she,
While there were lots of easy parts, I still think there are some moves that were harder than 5.4/5.5!
I agree! 
This is just the latest. Having perused Rona's blog, I see she has been getting out. She and Jeff climbed Ruth Mountain, and the week before that Alta and Kaleetan with fellow Bushwhackers Yumi, Elaine, Laurie and Robyn. Whew! Next up for her? Jeff and Rona are off to Mount Thompson, then the Gunks in a couple of weeks!
Rona and Jeff on Ruth Mountain
Posted by dkemp at 01:32 PM
Michael F climbs Mount R
Bushwhacker Michael F climbed Mount Rainier this past weekend with his friends. They climbed the Disappointment Cleaver route. Michael says,
It was a great trip. Nice to finally check Rainier off my list... I just grin like an idiot everytime I look at it now.
Michaels photos can be found at Michael's Kodak Gallery. Congratulations Michael!
Posted by dkemp at 10:18 AM
Spickard and Redoubt
August 10, 2006
Our friends Carla, Laurie, Mario and Doug climbed Spickard and Redoubt. Well, apparently they left the very tip top of Redoubt for another time. Sounds like they had a great time. I scammed a couple of Carla's photos.
Laurie near the summit of Spickard
Climbing on the Redoubt Glacier
Posted by dkemp at 02:03 PM
Christopher and Kevin climb Baker NR
August 07, 2006
Yeah! Christopher H and Kevin climbed the classic North Ridge of Mount Baker!
Chris said,
We pulled out of camp at 1:50 am, hit the crux just after daybreak, and moved up the route under the best weather conditions anyone could have wanted. The route was quite complex and challenging.
I'm certain they had a great time! Chris said,
Kevin was his usual form singing most of the way including "I Shot the Sheriff" as we hit the 9600 ft., 70 degree crux.
Congratulations on a great climb! 
Camp on Coleman Glacier. North Ridge is left skyline.
Leading the first ice pitch
Looking down the route
Posted by dkemp at 03:02 PM
Keith and Mario on Goode
August 03, 2006
Keith and Mario went and reconned the NE Ridge of Goode this past weekend. They decided not to do it due to time constraints. Next time, eh?
Posted by dkemp at 12:42 PM
Katie earns WFR
August 01, 2006
Next time you see Katie, congratulate her for earning her Wilderness First Responder. Katie attended WFR last week at Rescue Specialists. I asked Katie what her favorite part was, and she said:
-manning the radio as the "big cheese," or lead rescuer, of a full scale simulation, where I had to keep track of all of the patients and rescuers and make decisions about the priority and means of transporting the patients to the "helicopter"- learning how to recognize and methodically treat, where possible, the most critical and severe injuries first, and to not get distracted only by gory superficial injuries
- Watching everybody learn so much in just 8 days and become proficient at first aid!
- Going for a hike up and over Icicle Ridge on our day off!
- Giving epinephrine shots to a grapefruit!
Man, there were so many good things!
Cool! Way to go Katie! 
Posted by dkemp at 08:10 AM
Sandy and Seth climb Ingalls
July 31, 2006
Sandy and Seth climbed East Ridge of Ingalls Peak on Saturday. They had a great time, despite the crowds.
Seth sent me some photos of their climb. Good job guys!
Posted by dkemp at 01:11 PM
Bushwhacker Mount Rainier attempt
July 28, 2006
The first club climb of Mount Rainier encountered some disappointment, as the team had to turn around due to illness. But they had fun and learned a lot. It's an impressive mountain, and all vow to return!
Posted by dkemp at 04:07 PM
Yumi and Elaine climb Mount Adams
July 19, 2006
Yumi and Elaine and their friends climbed Mount Adams this past weekend. Sounds like they had a great time. Yumi says, "It was fun! Especially, the 2000ft glissading chute! I'd go back just to do that again." Yay!
Elaine on the climb
Summit City!
Posted by dkemp at 01:31 PM
Mount Blum!
July 17, 2006
Carla and Amy schwacked up the forest, then climbed the ridge to the summit of Mount Blum. Beautiful views of the North Cascades. Whew, what a hike!
Posted by dkemp at 04:34 PM
Silver Star
July 13, 2006
Bushwhackers Steve, Seth and his brother Ethan, climbed Silver Star this past weekend. They had set their sites on Eldorado, but with weather approaching they moved east. Seth said, "Very inquisitive mountain goats -- they followed us from the shoulder up the rock scramble, nearly to the summit!" 
Nice summit - great job guys!
Goat and Ethan - which one is which??
Posted by dkemp at 09:58 AM
Chiwawa summit!
July 11, 2006
Our pals Randy, Doug, Jim, David M., Carla and Kevin visited the summit of Chiwawa Mountain. Doug said, "There is a tricky little bushwack/scramble to just get to the climb... fun!" Right! They went for Fortress also, but were perplexed by tricky ground. "Kevin got within spittin' distance but backed off. We were on maybe 50 degree snow just to get to the class 4 rock." Sounds like they had a good 'ol time! "A really nice & fun outing".
Posted by dkemp at 02:44 PM
Keith and Seth shoot into Outer Space!
July 05, 2006
3,2,1, LIFTOFF! Keith and Seth climbed Outer Space this past weekend. Seth said it was really fun. I bet it was! The two were part of a bigger party hiking and climbing all around the Icicle Canyon. Doug, Jackie, Shail, Andrea, Brenna, Sandy - whooo, probably more, I don't think I got the whole story. The big Fourth of July Icicle Canyon party lives on!
Keith on Outer Space, photo by Seth
Posted by dkemp at 11:11 PM
Upcoming - Mt R, and more
Lot's of activity going on around here. Rock climbing, mountaineering, and just plain peak bagging. Watch soon for news of climbs of Mount Rainier and the Southern Pickets, and others. Hope you are gettin' out!
Posted by dkemp at 11:07 PM
Elephant Butte!
This past weekend, Carla and her pals from nwhikers did some mighty hard hiking, up to the summit of Elephant Butte! Fantastic! That's a very pretty neighborhood, but some tough ground. Good job!
Posted by dkemp at 11:05 PM
Summit of Mount Terror!
July 03, 2006
Our friends Mario, Jim, Philip and David M went to the summit of Mount Terror! Perfect weather helped, but the guys had to tough out the bushwhack - no going around that. Way to go get it! Details and photos to come.
Posted by dkemp at 01:44 PM
Off to climb Denali
June 11, 2006
Our friends Doug Y, Chris K, and their bud Steve S are headed to the Alaska Range to climb Denali. They leave on May 20 and expect to be in Alaska for three weeks. Good luck guys!
UPDATE: Our friends have returned from Denali! They are back safe and had fun, but weather thwarted their summit attempt - drat! Chris said,
Winds were around 40 MPH and with the cold Doug got minor frost bite on two toes and Steve got minor frost bite on his nose and one finger. Had a great time and we took lots of photos.
Posted by dkemp at 10:26 AM
Little Annapurna summit!
May 30, 2006
Rona and Jeff climbed Little Annapurna this weekend, despite the challenging weather. Some photos and story are at Rona's blog at http://spaces.msn.com/mrskroc/
Way to get out there!
Posted by dkemp at 10:41 AM
Big Snow Mountain
May 23, 2006
Carla is on the move! Sunday she climbed Big Snow with a buddy from nwhikers.net and a couple of UW people. She said they had a great time up there.
The ridge on Big Snow:
Posted by dkemp at 10:06 AM
Baring - almost!
May 22, 2006
Carla, Mario and friend Karen got nearly to the top of Baring Peak on Saturday. They were 150 feet from the top when they made a turn around decision based on weather. Then the weather cleared - Drat! Good luck next time, eh?
Posted by dkemp at 09:58 AM
Frederic climbs at Red Rocks
May 14, 2006
Frederic and a good friend climbed at Red Rocks, outside Las Vegas. The multi-pitch rock route is called Frogland, 5.8. Frederic said,
I had a wonderful time. I was a little nervous at the top of the second pitch, but by the end of the day I was a little sad that it was over.
Posted by dkemp at 02:59 PM
Mount Erie and Vesper Peak
May 13, 2006
I asked Chris H about his weekend.
Did some rock climbing with Kevin H over at Mount Erie. We then proceeded up to Rosario Park and practiced crevasse rescue scenarios for a few hours. Yesterday, Melissa, Trevor, and my nephew Kalen made it to the top of Vesper Peak. It appears that we may have been the first ones in there this year.
Here are a few photos from their Vesper climb - nice!
Posted by dkemp at 09:30 AM
Gang on Camp Muir
May 12, 2006
Chris K, Mario, Randy B and Jim were off to Camp Muir on Mount Rainier. So they get to the parking lot and lo and behold they run into Frederic and Jerry. The six hiked to Camp Muir, and even ran into Mike G on the route. Cool!
Posted by dkemp at 10:27 PM
Seth and Doxey tackle Castle Rock
Seth and Doxey took a beautiful Friday to visit Castle Rock in Tumwater Canyon, and stepped right up for Canary. Doxey led the strenuous first pitch. Then Seth led the second pitch, which features the infamous step-across start 
Yikes!! But Seth dispatched the problem with aplomb . The pair then climbed the classic Saber. A fine day at the crags for a couple of good pals.
Seth contemplates the second pitch of Canary
Having passed the step across move, Seth is out there doin' it!
Doxey at the belay station on Saber
Posted by dkemp at 10:02 PM
Arrowhead summit
May 10, 2006
Chris K reports that he, Doug Y and Steve H climbed Arrowhead Peak Sunday. Chris said, "Nice views from the top" and he called it a 'great trip'. Good job fellas!
Posted by dkemp at 10:21 AM
Dragontail Peak
April 24, 2006
Carla, Laurie and Joe stomped up the standard scramble route on Dragontail Peak this weekend - cool! This was certainly the weekend to do it! Carla said they got early starts and had time for exploring the summit, and hanging out at camp. She sent me this photo of Dragontail from Colchuck Lake. Way to go, team!
Posted by dkemp at 01:36 PM
Joshua Tree, TRSM course
April 10, 2006
Randy K and I have just returned from Joshua Tree NP - wow, its so beautiful there! We climbed lots of 5.6 and 5.7 routes and had a great time. We also took a four-day Top Rope Site Manager course and really learned a lot - recommended!
Posted by dkemp at 12:48 PM
Attempt on Pyramid Peak
Carla, Laurie and Katie tried for Pyramid Peak this past weekend. They got to the snowy hump before the dangerous traverse below Pyramid. The traverse was deemed too hazardous given avy conditions so they stopped there. Good thing, ten minutes later a wet snow slide went over that exact area! Good turn-around call!
Posted by dkemp at 12:44 PM
Snow Shelter Outing was great!
March 06, 2006
The snow shelter outing was really fun, and Mount Rainier's Mazama Ridge was a spectacular location. We enjoyed the great weather Saturday, building A-frame shelters and snowcaves, and Jim practiced using his Megamid as a group dining area. Doug Y, Steve H and Chris K did a fantastic job coaching us on the fine art of building snowshelters - thanks guys!!
Posted by dkemp at 11:11 AM
Thursday nights at Snoqualmie
February 03, 2006
A bunch of us are going telemark skiing at Snoqualmie on Thursday nights. This is not a class or anything, just friends from the club headin' up on Thursdays after work - join us!
UPDATE: Well, conditions were not as classic as last Thursday But, what the heck, there were a lot of us there and that made it fun! Frederic, Esther, Philip, Jim and his daughter Christine, Doxey, Randy, Lisa, Carla, Chad, Joe and Laurie - wow, there were Bushwhackers scattered all over the place!
Posted by dkemp at 09:34 AM
Kendall Knob
January 16, 2006
Hiked up Kendall Knob yesterday. Snow showers and sunshine, beautiful conditions for snowshoeing. I hiked with old friends and made some new ones. Kendall Knob ain't exactly Mt Everest but it was a great day in the mountains with good people. Yay!
Posted by dkemp at 10:35 AM
Mount Defiance
December 19, 2005
A sturdy group of Bushwhackers climbed to the summit of Mount Defiance by way of Mason Lake yesterday. Chris K. organized the outing, which included Doug Y., Doug H., Steve H., and David P. It was breezy up there and the snow surface was wind-scoured. It wasn't an easy climb, but the team made it to the top and safely returned.
Posted by dkemp at 10:11 AM
Leavenworth - R&D route
November 22, 2005
Phil and I climbed R&D over the weekend - it was great! We then tackled the 5.7 climb up on Bob's Wall - very cool.
Posted by at 03:50 PM
Challenger Traverse!
June 30, 2005
Doxey, Katie, Laurie and me accomplished a traverse of Mt Challenger. It was great but it was hard. Beautiful country up there. Photos soon!
Posted by at 04:29 PM
Rock climbing at the Gunks
September 14, 2004
Doxey joined Rob and Randy K at the Gunks in New York state during week of September 13. We climbed lots of routes including the infamous Schockleys Ceiling and the airy High Exposure. All had a great time. The Gunks rock!
Posted by dkemp at 10:49 AM
Doug and Chris complete trad lead course
September 12, 2004
Doug H. and Chris H. did a rock climbing trad lead class with the good folks at Mountain Madness this weekend. Doug said they had a good time and met some great folks, and learned a bunch too. They climbed at Clamshell Cave in Icicle Canyon, and climbed Midway on Castle Rock. Way to go, guys!
Posted by dkemp at 11:03 AM
Doug records his first trad lead!
September 09, 2004
Doug H has recorded his first trad lead! The successful effort took place at Tieton's Royal Columns on a popular climb called Western Front. Doug placed gear deftly and got to the top in fine style. Way to go Doug!
Posted by dkemp at 03:43 PM
Castle Rock cragging
August 27, 2004
On August 27, buddies Seth and Doxey climbed Castle Rock. The pair climbed The Fault and Catapult on Lower CR, then after lunch tackled the historic Midway. Seth did all the leading except for one pitch - way to go Seth! Afterward, Doxey reported, "We clumb it."
Posted by dkemp at 01:12 PM
West Ridge of Forbidden
August 23, 2004
Seth, Anna, Jim and Phil climbed the West Ridge of Forbidden - hey, impressive! Everyone had a great time and agreed the famous West Ridge was an awesome climb. Says Phil,
The ridge climb was solid and very fun, with only one crux section that really tested our rock climbing skills. The rest was very low fifth class and the weather was perfect up there, -short sleves, sunshine and a mild breeze to cool the heat.
Anna on Forbidden
Phil hammin' it up!
Posted by dkemp at 10:51 AM
Hannegan Peak Photo outing
August 22, 2004
Seth and Steve did a photography outing to Hannegan Peak. This is a nice hike overlooking Ruth Mountain and Shuksan, and the north unit of North Cascades National Park. Seth got these beautiful scenics of the area.
North Cascades from Hannegan Peak, © Seth Pollack
Mount Blum and Ruth Mountain, © Seth Pollack
Posted by dkemp at 11:04 AM
