My wife and I want to climb the south face of Washingtons Column in July but are a little concerned about the amount of traffic on this route. Does being "the most popular grade V in the valley" mean endless lines during this time of year? Any chance we will only encounter just one or two other teams if we go during the week? What are some other routes comparable to this in length and difficulty that we might do instead? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks,

-- Wayne (climbharder@hotmail.com), April 19, 2001

Answers

Wayne, it IS a very poular route, but you can help that by heading up there early in the week, like Monday or Tuesday, although even that is no guarantee... What we did twice was hike up to the base late at night and climb the first pitch in the dark by headlamp - it

-- Jim Leininger (leining@us.ibm.com), April 20, 2001.

Wayne, it IS a very poular route, but you can help that by heading up there early in the week, like Monday or Tuesday, although even that is no guarantee... What we did twice was hike up to the base late at night and climb the first pitch in the dark by headlamp - it has a short 5.8 section and then goes to 5.5/5.6. Then you can either rap off and leave you rope up for earlt the next AM, or even bivy at the base of P2, there is room for 2.... The other option is the West face of Leaning Tower, which can be just as popular...

-- Jim Leininger (leining@us.ibm.com), April 20, 2001.

July can be hot as, well, real hot, that and a mid-week start might help you.

Peace

Karl

-- karl Baba (karlbaba@hotmail.com), April 20, 2001.

thanks guys, great idea Jim. think we'll try it!

-- Wayne (climbharder@hotmail.com), April 25, 2001.