One And Only Beacon Outing | chossclimbers.com

Summary

Shirley on the Southeast Corner.

We climbed the Southeast Face route on November 9, 2003. A perfect fall day. This was shortly after returning from a very sad family-related trip and this short climb felt like a bit of a healing experience. Oddly enough, we’ve never been back to Beacon. Don’t know why really? Of all the near-city crags, this is the one that actually looks good. Hopefully we’ll be back for a classic or two.

Photos

Leading pitch one of the Southeast Corner route (November 9, 2003).

Looking at the belay of pitch two from top of pitch one. Pitch three begins just to the left of Shirley and is steeper than the photo would suggest; the slab above however is easier than it looks (November 9, 2003).

Steep beginning of pitch three of the Southeast Face Route. Photo taken on lead just past the crux of the climb (November 9, 2003).

Shirley seconding pitch 3 of the Southeast Face Route about 2/3rds of the way up. The slab is a bit steeper than this photo would suggest (November 9, 2003).

Seconding the upper portion of pitch three - going gets easier here as you move toward the edge of the slab (November 9, 2003)

Shirley atop pitch 3 of the Southeast Corner route on Beacon Rock.

Looking down toward the great belay ledge of pitch 3 from midway up pitch 4 (November 9, 2003).

Topping out on the Grassy Ledges (top of pitch four) with an eastward view of the Gorge in the background (November 9, 2003).

Shirley at our pitch four belay as seen from top of (our) pitch five (or pitch six as described under Southeast Corner description, November 9, 2003).

Shirley at the 6th pitch belay (our 5th pitch belay). This is a great, exposed, little ledge with a big dead tree on it which is mentioned in some guidebooks (November 9, 2003).

Topping out on the last (either 7th or 8th) roped pitch of the Southeast Face Route. In the background, the bottom of the Columbia Gorge (looking east) can be seen. The river itself is out of view on the right (November 9, 2003).

Final move on the Southeast Face route involves jumping the guard rail to reach the tourist trail just below the summit.

Switchbacked tourist trail on the west face of Beacon. This is one of the most convenient walk off's from any climb (November 9, 2003).

Columbia River Gorge - looking west from Beacon Rock (November 9, 2003)

The gate near the bottom of the tourist trail up Beacon. Note that this is what you'll need to climb around if you top out late (gate gets locked for the night). Also note the barbed wire (November 9, 2003).

Go back to Columbia Gorge page.