North Twin, West Ridge

Activity Notes

This is the Twin Sisters west of Mt. Baker.  The climb is lots of exposed 4th class on solid rock, typically soloed: low risk, high consequences, if you are a solid rock climber!  We will avoid the risk by simulclimbing the exposed parts.

We will camp at the trailhead before and after, and climb car-car, which requires a mountain bike, with some pushing, on the "rather gnarly" 6 mile approach on abandoned logging roads (We may ditch bikes on the last trail part which is most of the gnarl.)

If conditions and party skills permit (i.e. at least half the team AR-capable), we will traverse the snow left of the ridge to simulclimb the steep, solid alternate start.  This bypasses half the exposed ridge climbing, reduces risk, and raises technical fun factor.  https://www.mountainproject.com/route/124938938/west-ridge-variation-start

I plan to glissade the north face snow slope, so bring a light axe, and light crampons/microspikes to access the alternate start.

I would like to spend a day near Darrington on the way back, scouting and marking an approach to Three Fingers for next season.  Or trying a 5.8 multipitch climb on the adjacent Squire Creek crag. 12-14 pitches, mixed trad/bolts on solid granite.  Need a partner for this exploration!