DHLA | chossclimbers.com

Go back to Index page.

Words

Fun chimney climbing finishes off pitch 1 of Lovin' Arms (Apr. 2012).

An early April Sunday spent in Index, WA. Our second trip there after a 5 or 6 year hiatus. Hiked up to the Upper Town Wall and climbed the classic combo of Davis-Holland with Lovin’ Arms finish (topo). Six pitches of great and hard (for us) climbing…in summary it went like this: P1, wet; P2, hard; P3, good; P4, burly; P5, hard; P6, dirty (but maybe I was off route). The real excitement came on the drive home as we were unable to locate an open Starbucks.

Photos

Upper Index Town Wall in the afternoon after our climb of DHLA (Apr. 2012).

Blondie and Shirley on the hike up to the Upper Town Wall. Surprisingly muggy spring day (Apr. 2012).

Starting up pitch one of Davis-Holland Route - fun 5.9 with a bit of wetness at the top (but NTB; Apr. 2012).

Higher on pitch 1 of Davis-Holland Route - steep but friendly 5.9 crack (Apr. 2012).

Shirley topping out on pitch 1 of Davis-Holland Route and Blondie is down at the base relaxing (& whoring herself to all climbers who pass by; Apr. 2012).

Shirley starting the lead of pitch 2 (sustained!!) of Davis-Holland Route (Apr. 2012).

Shirley leading the sustained pitch 2 of Davis-Holland Route (Apr. 2012).

Shirley higher on the pitch ...glad I didn't have to lead this one (Apr. 2012).

Following Shirley's lead of pitch 2 of Davis-Holland Route. Clean and beautiful rock with some stout climbing (Apr. 2012).

Topping out on pitch 2 of Davis-Holland Route (Apr. 2012).

Leading the third pitch (10b but felt easier than the second pitch which is rated 10a) of Davis-Holland Route belayed by Shirley. On the right there are two climbers on the Green Drag-On route (Apr. 2012).

Shirley topping out on pitch 3 of Davis-Holland Route. Though this one is rated 10b/c it felt a lot easier than the previous pitch (Apr. 2012).

Leading pitch 1 (4th overall) of Lovin' Arms route. Harder than it looks from below...

Great alpine-ish views from a gorgeous crag route (Apr. 2012).

Shirley almost done with the hard "hand" crack of pitch 1 of Lovin' Arms (Apr. 2012).

Shirley on the chimney portion of pitch 1 of Lovin' Arms (Apr. 2012).

Fun chimney climbing finishes off pitch 1 of Lovin' Arms (Apr. 2012).

Leading pitch 2 of Lovin' Arms (5th pitch overall). Trad protected face climbing (Apr. 2012).

Shirley starting up pitch 2 of Lovin' Arms - out of the chimney and into the obvious (& slightly downward) traversing hand crack/flake (Apr. 2012).

More pitch 2 fun on Lovin' Arms.

Shirley almost done having fun (more than me!) on pitch 2 of Lovin' Arms (Apr. 2012).

Shirley topping out on the second pitch (fifth overall) of Lovin' Arms (Apr. 2012).

The sleepy village of Index with the North Cascades looming beyond (Apr. 2012).

Shirley on the third pitch (sixth overall) of Lovin' Arms. Think we went off route here judging by the lichen covered rock (Apr. 2012).

Shirley atop the Upper (Index) Town Walls after our climb of Davis-Holland/Lovin' Arms route (Apr. 2012).

The Index scene: beautiful, steep and clean granite walls and trains. Shirley and Blondie on the hike back to the car after a great day of climbing (Apr. 2012).

Go back to Index page.