The Northwest Corner of North Early Winter
Spire is a fun, steep crack climb that features several pitches
of wide, strenuous climbing. On a beautiful summer day, Larry
and partner Blue Bradley hiked up to escape the Methow Valley
heat.
The climb is the obvious left facing
arcing dihedral to the left of center on the upper face.
It shares the the first pitch with the West Face climb
which veers right to the clean streak up the upper face.
At the top of the 3rd pitch, this is
the view looking up the crux 4th pitch. It begins as an
offwidth and eventually turns into a fist crack. After
about 50 feet, one can move out on the face to the left
and use the crack for protection.
The 3rd pitch is a steep layback crack.
Known as the Zig Zag flakes, these demand the climber
keep moving to avoid the dreaded pump!
Here Blue finishes the difficulties of
pitch 3 and approaches the belay thankful for a good hold!
Here the photographer of the trip takes
a self portrait at the top of the 3rd pitch.
Here Blue follows the crux pitch. At
this point she has moved onto the face next to the corner.
Blue and Larry enjoying a leisurely break
on the summit.
