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Rock Climbing
Washington Guided Climbs
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Custom Courses Available! Click here for details!
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 GUIDED ROCK CLIMBS IN WASHINGTON STATE
The art of rock climbing is mentally and physically challenging - accessible to anyone with a sense of adventure. Our guided climbs offer you a chance to push your limits safely, climb in a new area, learn new skills, and just get out on the rock if you can't find a partner. Options include ascents in Leavenworth, Washington Pass, Darrington, Squamish, Index, and Mount Erie. Each location has distinct qualities and offer a variety of climbing; from the one-pitch climbs on Mount Erie that overlook the beautiful San Juan Islands, to the excellent multi-pitch alpine rock routes found at Washington Pass, which is home to the famous Liberty Bell Masiff.
Participants have the options to car camp or stay in the comfort of nearby hotels and enjoy the fine local restaurants. Join us for your first time on rock or let us take you to the next level!
PROGRAM DATES: The best season for these climbs is from April-October. For alpine rock climbs the season begins late May and continues into late September.
CRAGGING:
 These climbs are suggested routes, but there is so much more to do! All routes can be easily accessed in one day. Participants can car camp or stay in hotels. Please call us with your suggestion if you have a climb that is not listed that you would like to do.
Beginner
South Early Winter Spire, South Arete II, 5.4
Ingall’s Peak, South Ridge, II, 5.4
Castle Rock, Sabre, II, 5.5
Castle Rock, Midway, II, 5.5
Advanced Beginner
Liberty Bell, Beckey Route, II, 5.6
Mount Stuart, West Ridge, II-III, 5.4-5.6
Intermediate
Snow Creek Wall, Outer Space
South Early Winter Spire SW Buttress, III, 5.8
Cutthroat Peak, South Buttress, III, 5.8
Castle Rock, Canary, II, 5.8
Burgundy Spire, North Face, II, 5.8
Advanced Intermediate
Index, Princely Ambitions/GM/Toxic Shock, II, 5.9
Lexington Tower, East Face, IV, 5.9+
North Early Winter Spire, NW Corner, III, 5.9
Darrington, Dreamer, III, 5.9
Advanced
North Early Winter Spire, West Face, III, 5.7 A1 or 5.10d
Liberty Bell, Liberty Crack V, 5.10 A2
South Early Winter Spire, E Buttress Direct, IV, 5.10+
Index, Town Crier, IV, 5.8 A2
For pricing please see bottom of page.
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ALPINE ROCK CLIMBS:
 Climbers unfamiliar with the Washington Cascades often think of it as a range bristling with snow-capped, glaciated peaks, not of a place home to immense rock walls, elegant rock ridges, or complex faces composed of solid granite. The pleasant surprise for many visitors however is that there is in fact an abundance of alpine rock routes. Some require glacier travel and involve long approaches in glorious wilderness settings. Others are set high in the North Cascades, a mere hour walk from the trailhead. Below is a sampling of what the range has to offer. For more details please call our office.
All climbs are arranged on a custom basis- see below for pricing.
 Beginner
South Early Winter Spire, South Arete, II, 5.4 – 1 day
Ingall’s Peak, South Ridge, II, 5.4 – 1 or 2 days
Advanced Beginner
Liberty Bell, Beckey Route II, 5.6 – 1 day
Mount Stuart, West Ridge, III, 5.4-5.6 – 2 days
Vesper Peak, North Face, II 5.4 – 2 days
Intermediate
Mount Stuart, North Ridge, III 5.5 – 2-3 days, minimal glacier approach
Mount Triumph, Northeast Ridge, III 5.6 – 2 or 3 days, glacier approach
Forbidden Peak, West Ridge, III 5.6 – 2 or 3 days, glacier approach
Burgundy Spire, North Face, III 5.8 – 1 or 2 days
South Early Winter Spire, SW Buttress, II 5.8 – 1 day
Dragontail Peak, Serpentine Arete, IV 5.8 – 2 days
Advanced Intermediate
Lexington Tower, East Face, IV, 5.9+ – 1 day
North Early Winter Spire, NW Corner, III, 5.9 – 1 day
Forbidden Peak, Northwest Face, IV 5.8 – 2 or 3 days, glacier approach
Dragontail Peak, Backbone Ridge, IV 5.9 – 2 days
Advanced
North Early Winter Spire, West Face, III, 5.7 A1 or 5.10d – 1 day
Mount Stuart, Complete North Ridge, IV 5.9 – 2 or 3 days
Liberty Bell, Liberty Crack V, 5.10 A2 – 2 or 3 days
Juno Tower, Clean Break, IV 5.10c – 2 days
South Early Winter Spire, E Buttress Direct, IV, 5.10+ – 1 day
CUSTOM GUIDING & INSTRUCTION PRICING- see bottom of page TOP
LEAVENWORTH & EXIT 38 TOURS:
 Join us for a tour of the world-class climbing area Leavenworth and the excellent sport climbing of Exit 38, which is less than an hour drive from Seattle. Develop your skills and focus on your personal goals. Our guides will take you on the best Icicle Creek Canyon has to offer and the classic Tumwater Canyon climbs on Castle Rock. For more info on Leavenworth rock routes click here. Camp or stay in the comfort of a hotel and dine in fine restaurants in the evening.
For sport climbers the nearby vicinity of Exit 38 allows for an easy, quick escape from Seattle. Our guides will show you where to climb here and set you up on the area classics. This is a great intro to outdoor climbing.
Custom Dates & Pricing; half day to week long trips available.
More info on Leavenworth & route suggestions
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NORTH BEND HALF & ONE DAY INTRO COURSE:
This program offers an opportunity for first time climbers as well as those with some indoor rock climbing experience to try climbing outside. We begin with friction climbing to develop your balance, and then we incorporate both face and crack climbing techniques before progressing to more challenging climbs.
You will learn safe climbing protocols under the guidance of experienced and supportive instructors. It is our intent to educate, encourage and enlighten you in the rewards and pure fun of rock climbing. Equipment, belays, anchors, knots, rappelling and lowering are covered.
COURSE PRICE
Half Day Cost: $120 Student/Instructor Ratio: 5:1 (minimum two climbers)
Full Day Cost: $150 Student/Instructor Ratio: 5:1 (minimum three climbers)
COST INCLUDES: All group climbing equipment and professional instruction.
NOT INCLUDED: Personal climbing equipment (rock shoes, climbing harness, large locking carabiner), transportation, gratuities for guides, meals, lodging, and personal items.
QUALIFICATIONS: Previous climbing experience is not required. This class is designed to accommodate first time climbers as well as those with some indoor experience. A high degree of strength is not a requirement; with proper guidance almost anyone can enjoy rock climbing on their first outing.
LOCATION: North Bend, Washington is located east of Seattle via I-90. Driving time from Seattle is approximately 40 minutes. Classes meet at 9:00 a.m. at the Iron Goat Parking lot off Exit 38. To get to Mt Washington take the east bound Exit 38 from Interstate 90. At the bottom of the off ramp turn right, drive about 150 meters and take another right onto a dirt road to the parking area.
ITINERARY
Day 1: The day begins with an equipment review and a lesson on the essential knot skills required for the day’s climbing. You will also learn proper belaying techniques that will prepare you for actual climbing. Once the basics are covered, you begin climbing. Communication signals and various friction climbing techniques will be covered. (Half Day ends at 1pm) After a break, the group will move onto steeper terrain. Top rope set-up, rappelling, and rope management will round out the day’s activities. We generally wrap up the course by about 4:00 p.m.
EQUIPMENT: You must bring your own rock shoes, climbing harness, and climbing helmet. All ropes, slings, and hardware will be provided. Because there are a wide variety of belay/friction devices available, students are encouraged to bring their own belay/friction device or any other equipment they wish to learn more about.
NEXT STEPS: After completion of this trip, you may want to build upon your new skills and participate in a more advanced course or climb. The following opportunities are logical next steps that will help you advance your abilities, or at least provide you with another exciting recreational adventure.
- Washington Pass Weekend
- Alpine Rock Seminar
- Intermediate Rock
- Red Rocks
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WASHINGTON PASS WEEKEND:
  Have you ever dreamed of climbing classic rock routes in an incredible alpine mountain environment and standing on the summit of a monolithic granite spire? If so, join Mountain Madness for these 2 days on full-day alpine rock climbs near Washington Pass. Objective include the famous Beckey route on Liberty Bell Mountain, the airy South Arete on South Early Winter Spire, or many others available in the area.
Guide to Client Ratio: 4:1
Climbing Grade: Advanced Beginner
DATES: September 18-19 & 25-26; or custom dates for two or more
Cost: $425 (2 or more climbers)
COST INCLUDES: Guiding and instruction, group climbing equipment
COST DOES NOT INCLUDE: Transportation*, lodging/camping, food*, and all personal climbing and camping equipment.*Available at additional cost
ITINERARY:
 Day 1: After an early rise, we drive to the Blue Lake trailhead and begin the 2 mile approach up to the base of the Early Winter Spires. Our first route in this impressive complex of massive spires and granite faces is up the South Arête of the South Spire. This is a great introductory multi-pitch alpine rock climb with a spectacular summit! This 600-foot climb follows a blocky arête where climbers stem, chimney, friction, and hand jam their way to the summit. Exposed down-climbing and a series of short and long rappels bring us down from the summit. After our descent to the trailhead we head back to our campground, eat, and prepare for the next day’s climb.
Day 2: We head back up to Washington Pass for some more classic ‘alpine cragging’! Today’s objective will be the Beckey Route on Liberty Bell Mountain, a 7,720 foot spire which captivates the imagination of every climber who looks up at its granite faces. The route Fred Beckey scouted in 1946, and the route we ascend, follows a series of chimneys, crack systems and slabs for 400 feet up the Southwest face. After the descent, we ’ll hike back to the trailhead and drive to Seattle, likely arriving late in the evening.
NOTE ON ITINERARY: In this course, the guides use their experience and knowledge of the area to match students with routes that will appropriately challenge and reward. Guides may select an alternate climb or mountain for these reasons. Although we do our very best to follow the schedule listed, this itinerary is subject to change due to weather, route conditions, and other reasons beyond our control.
WEATHER: The weather in the Cascades is unpredictable and can roll in at any time limiting the productivity of your trip. Mountain Madness has no control over this weather and therefore last minute decisions are sometimes needed to save the trip from being completely cancelled. However, sometimes waiting for the weather to pass is the best plan of action and it is not unusual to sit in the rain for a few days. It is also possible that the rain may not clear up and traveling to the east side of the mountains to go rock climbing is the best plan.
QUALIFICATIONS: All that is required is that students have some basic rock climbing and movement skills. If you have never rock climbed, it is very easy to gain this experience at a local climbing gym in an evening seminar. Previous mountaineering experience is not required. However, this trip is rated as strenuous and we cannot overemphasize the importance of proper physical conditioning. By getting your heart, lungs, and legs in top physical condition, you can focus on learning while enjoying the high mountain environment.
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PRIVATE/CUSTOM GUIDING AND INSTRUCTION
Maximize your learning, pick your own route, or custom design an itinerary for yourself or a small group of friends or family. Please call for suggestions.
Prices are determined by number of climbers and days. Rates are per person:
1 person - $350/day
2 people - $275/day
3 people - $225/day
4 people - $190/day
COST INCLUDES: Guiding and instruction and group climbing equipment.
COST DOES NOT INCLUDE: Transportation*, lodging/camping fees, food, and all personal climbing and camping equipment.
*Available at additional cost
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