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Overview
Shirley at the base of the south face (Feb. 25, 2006).
The little pillars have quite a collection of routes on them. In addition to the East Route (I 5.4), Dodge also lists the following lines on the principle formation:
In addition, the collection of Pillars also includes:
Summary
Shirley hiking out along the old railroad bed after our climb of The Pillars (silhouette in the background; Feb. 25, 2006).
First, we figured we’ll hike along the RR tracks to the base. But there was a train parked near the TH with a curious engineer watching us. Given that I’m not really sure whether we’d be trespassing (something my PO might not appreciate), we waited and waited and waited….Finally drove around looking for another way in. Found one via Bridal Veil Overlook. 20 minutes of horizontal bushwhacking. 30 minutes of vertical bushwhacking. We climbed the easiest line up, the East Route (5.4). This BTW, is a primo spot for mooning cars on I84. Also, my life now has a new goal: I want to bag all 5 (+ 1 variation) routes on The Pillars!
Photos
North face of The Pillars as seen from the northwest. Railroad tracks provide the ambiance (Feb. 25, 2006).
Interesting Gorge vegetation on the hike in to The Pillars.
Blondie hiking in to the Pillars Of Hercules (Feb. 2006).
Shirley and Blondie at the base of the Pillars Of Hercules (Feb. 2006).
Beginning the lead of East Route on The Pillars – cool rock eh (Feb. 25, 2006)?
Blondie keeping an eye on us on the East Route of The Pillars Of Hercules.
Leading the East Route on The Pillars (Feb. 25, 2006).
Looking back (east) along the mossy ledge midway up East Route on The Pillars (Feb. 25, 2006).
Shirley topping out on The Pillars via East Route final chimney. Great rock (Feb. 25, 2006).
Yours truly on the summit freezing his ass off . This is looking east into the Columbia River Gorge. Note the summit rap anchor – coils of steel cable around “mystery heap” (moss, dirt and some sticks; Feb. 25, 2006).
Shirley on the summit. This is looking westward.
Shirley rapping down the south face – note the moss so typical on Gorge routes. The rap line follows the South Face route - a mossy, loose 5.8 groove. Yum (Feb. 25, 2006).
Shirley at the base of the south face after rapping off the summit. Note that the South Face route follows the rap line. Yum – mossy and loose 5.8 pitch that I just can't wait to go back and do....(Feb. 25, 2006).
Shirley at the base of the south face of Pillars Of Hercules after we rapped off.
Bushwhacking out after climbing The Pillars.
The Pillars Of Hercules (principle formation) from the SE. The flake & chimney (formed by it and the main tower) you see on the right side of the tallest tower is where the East Route passes onto the north face (Feb. 25, 2006).
Shirley hiking out along the old railroad bed after our climb of The Pillars (silhouette in the background; Feb. 25, 2006).
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