Shirley & Haydar watching the drizzle at the base of The Bend in Tieton (April 2006).

Shirley & Haydar admiring the drizzle in Vantage (April 2006).

Shirley & Haydar on the approach hike to the Royal Columns in Tieton (April 2006).

Shirley and Haydar hiking up to the Royal Columns after the rain had cleared (April 16, 2006).

Shirley starting up Mush Maker (5.7) belayed by our friend Haydar (Apr. 2006).

Somebody sure is enjoying the nice Mush Maker (5.7; Apr. 2006).

Shirley leading Mush Maker (5.7) on the Royal Columns in the late afternoon glow. Haydar is belaying. Nice 5.7 hand crack (Apr. 15, 2006).

Shirley leading the enjoyable Mush Maker (5.7) route on the Royal Columns (Apr. 2006).

More of Shirley on Mush Maker (Apr. 2006).

Shirley leading Mush Maker (5.7) on the Royal Columns - a nice, low angle hand crack. Haydar is belaying. After sitting out a day of rain, clear weather arrived just before sunset. First Blood (5.8) is the wide (fist) crack on the right. Inca Roads (5.9) is the shallow, right facing dihedral (lichen-free) in left half of photo (dihedral peters out near the top; later afternoon of April 15, 2006).

Chilling out at the Royal Columns of Tieton -- shit yeah (Apr. 2006).

Shirley starting up the nice X Factor (5.8) belayed by our friend Haydar (Apr. 2006).

Shirley leading the nice X Factor (5.8; Apr. 2006).

Shirley leading the 5.8 weirdness of X Factor in the Royal Columns (just about to enter the crux section). Haydar is belaying. Cutting Edge (5.7) is the right-facing dihedral on the left. Blondie in the forground is busy emptying our lunch bags (Apr. 16, 2006).

Shirley higher on X Factor belayed by Haydar (Apr. 2006).

Shirley topping out on X Factor (April 2006).

Starting up Inca Roads belayed by our friend Haydar (Apr. 2006).

Leading the classic Inca Roads (5.9) on Royal Columns – sweet OW to fingers crack in shallow dihedral. Haydar is belaying. Ball And Chain goes up the thin crack above the roof (looks scary) on the left; Little Known Wonder (5.7) is the stem box immediately right of Inca (Apr. 16, 2006).

Our friend Haydar at the base of Inca Roads route at Royal Columns. Blondie is in the background rattler huntin’ and the trailhead is visible on the left below.

Nearing the top of Inca Roads (5.9) belayed by our friend Haydar.

Shirley seconding Inca Roads (5.9) – a wide (low angle) section leading to fingers (Apr. 2006).

Bondie keeping an eye on her domain from the base of Royal Columns (April 16, 2006).

Leading First Blood (5.8) on the Royal Columns (Apr. 2006).

Haydar belaying me on First Blood – a nice 5.8 fist to OW crack in the Royal Columns (Apr. 16, 2006).

Our sweet Blondie girl.

Topping out on First Blood – a very friendly 5.8 wide crack with plenty face incuts to keep things friendly (Apr. 2006).

Starting up Jam Exam (Apr. 2006).

Leading the very fun Jam Exam (5.9) on the Royal Columns (Apr. 2006).

Haydar and Blondie at the base of Jam Exam (Apr. 2006).

Leading Jam Exam (5.9) on the Royal Columns. Haydar is belaying (much thanks man!). This is great fun route with my kinda hand size on the lower half. Upper half is the crux (Apr. 16, 2006).

Blondie chilling at the base of Royal Columns in Tieton (Apr. 2006).

Leading Cactus Love (5.9) at the Royal Columns. The crux of the route (IMHO) is at the top just above the slight roof/bulge visible. Jam Exam (5.9 is the last crack on right; Developing Arms (topmost portion of it) is visible in upper left (Apr. 16, 2006).

Cactus Love (Apr. 2006).

Entering the crux section of Cactus Love (5.9) - off-fingers weirdness IMHO. Haydar is belaying. Climber on left is on Developing Arms (5.9); to his right is Orange Sunshine (5.10b); the nice-looking handcrack on right is Jam Exam (5.9). Afternoon of April 16, 2006.

Cactus Love (Apr. 2006).

Topping out on Cactus Love (Apr. 2006).

Shirley on Cactus Love belayed by Haydar (Apr. 2006).