Leavenworth
Leavenworth is a quaint Bavarian town full of great dining places and shops. It also is home to a wonderful array of local climbing on solid rock along Icicle Creek. These climbs are mostly short in length, but cover the entire difficulty range. Access to many routes is gained simply by parking your car and walking a few minutes to your selected climb.
 Clear, blue skies begin a beautiful day as Jay and I approach the base of Icicle Buttress. |
 Belayy is on! Start climbing, Jay! (What a poser!) |
 We made a couple route variations: a 5.7 slab, then a 5.8 chimney, to the 5.6 crack upon which Im topping out. |
 I take the lead and finish the 3rd pitch, a 5.6 crack, to the top. |
 Jay follows behind, securely anchored and belayed. |
 At the top of Icicle Buttress, we pause for a view and a rest . . . |
 . . . and a couple photo shots . . . |
 . . . before we plan the next route, which we decide to be B.O.B. Wall. |
 The wide chimney crack to the left is Bobs Third Crack (5.4 -yeah, right!). |
 Our descent is via rappel. Jay follows yet another Bob crack, Bobs Fifth Crack. |
 OK, Jay, do we have time for one more before we go into town and eat?? |
 The Icicle Buttress showing the slab, the chimney, and the crack to the top. (notice three climbers on the Buttress.) |
 Day Two brings us to Castle Rock. Here, Jay is stumped after trying to follow a poor route description. |
 At the campsite, all packed up and ready to climb again. |
 Im leading the next pitch up Saber. Though the route was solid, it was very exposed and exhilarating. |
 Looking down a few hundred feet, is the trail we follow to the base of the Rock. |
 Just about at the top of the last pitch. From here, I find my anchor and belay Jay to me. |
 A great view of Icicle Creek from our climb route. |
 This was a challenging weekend. Now that we know a few places to climb, next time we will be more time efficient. |
 As always, Jay pushes me to my limits and I leave here with a sense of contented satisfaction. |
 Another successful route is climbed, and one for our books. Next time we come here, we will climb it again. |