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Summary
Shirley nearing the top of pitch 2 of Northwest Corner...done with the cool lieback (Aug. 2005).
This was a two for one weekend at the Washington Pass: we climbed this stellar Northwest Corner (III 5.9) line on North Early Winters Spire on Saturday and the East Face (III 5.10-) of Minuteman Tower on Sunday (more of that later). We both loved the Northwest Corner – clean solid rock, varied climbing and stellar position. A true Pass classic.
Photos
North Early Winters Spire's north/northwest aspect. The Northwest Corner line (III 5.9) climbs the beautiful corner visible on right. View is from top of East Face of Lexington Tower.
The North Early Winters Spire from the top of the East Face route on Lexington. The uber-classic Northwest Corner route (III 5.9) follows the obvious dihedral in the center. Also visible (light streak) is the West Face (III 5.10+/5.11-) route.
Blondie on approach to the North Early Winters Spire (Aug. 2005).
Leading pitch 1 of the Northwest Corner of NEWS (Aug. 2005).
Leading pitch 2 of Northwest Corner of NEWS...great fun underclings to a lieback (Aug. 2005).
Looking back at Shirley from the lead of pitch 3 of Northwest Corner (Aug. 2005).
Leading pitch 2 of Northwest Corner of NEWS right below the final lieback section (Aug. 2005).
Shirley in the undercling section of pitch 2 of Northwest Corner of NEWS (Aug. 2005).
Shirley starting the cool lieback on pitch 2 of Northwest Corner (Aug. 2005).
Shirley near top of pitch two of Northwest Corner - a 5.8 undercling. Great pitch (August 6, 2005)
Shirley nearing the top of pitch 2 of Northwest Corner...done with the cool lieback (Aug. 2005).
Shirley topping out on pitch 2 of Northwest Corner route on NEWS (Aug. 2005).
Leading through the crux of Northwest Corner - a 5.9 OW crack on pitch three. Apologies for the camel toe shot. Pro on this initial section of crack/dihedral ranges from #5 Friend to #4.5 Camalot (August 6, 2005).
Looking down from the lead of pitch three of Northwest Corner. A 5.9 OW crack in dihedral in stellar rock! Shirley is belaying me from a decent ledge below (August 6, 2005).
Shirley working the progressively easier OW crack of pitch 3 of Northwest Corner. Where she is, the going eases (~5.8) as more face features appear (August 6, 2005).
Shirley topping out on pitch 3 of Northwest Corner.
Starting the lead of pitch 4 of Northwest Corner of NEWS...a face to roof/dihedral moves, then easy ground to summit (Aug. 2005).
Shirley belaying me on pitch 4 of Northwest Corner. The belay is atop the crux pitch (5.9 OW) in a decent "alcove" beneath a large roof (August 6, 2005).
Leading out past the roof on pitch 4 (5.9) of Northwest Corner route. The face in the photo is about 5.7-5.8 but there's no pro between you and the belay anchor till you reach the roof (August 6, 2005).
Shirley topping out on the Northwest Corner route with Liberty Bell in the background (Aug. 2005).
Shirley arriving on the summit of NEWS (Aug. 2005).
Shirley on the summit of North Early Winters Spire after our climb of Northwest Corner. Golden Horn and Tower Mountain are in the background.
Shirley hiking down the loose gully on our descent from the summit of NEWS.
Shirley on the free-air rap off of the giant chockstone after our climb of Northwest Corner route. View is roughly east (August 6, 2005).
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