Photo: Daughter Jo takes to climbing like a fish to water. I've always said that if it involves a rope or helmet or an ice axe you could count me out. I believe that more strongly now that I've seen rock climbing up close!
Jo has wanted to try "real" rock climbing -- none of that sissy gym rock wall stuff -- for a long time now. The Mountaineers' Trailhead program and my injured shoulder provided the perfect set of excuses -- I went along to chaperone and take pictures!
Ken Hahn and his merry band of belayers took nine inexperienced rock climbers to The Feathers near Vantage to give them a taste. Jo was a natural -- I think she attempted 15 climbs on several short routes that day, and only two routes kicked her butt. Although the weather in Seattle was dark and wet, we enjoyed sunshine for our entire time East of the pass. By noon the small "parking lot" at The Feathers was fairly packed, and nearly every route had a team to claim it. There were climbers aged four to sixty-four, lightweights side-by-side with hardcases -- not too different from a typical hiking crowd, just a different kind of activity!
Tempted though we were to join the group for Mexican food and margaritas in Cle Elum, our carpool driver had to get back to Seattle. We did make a quick stop at Ginko Petrified Forest State Park on the way back -- this would make an interesting side trip combined with the Wild Horse Monument and Columbia River Overlook if you have time on your way to points in Eastern Washington.
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