TRAINING IN THE NORTH CASCADES IN WA.

After a great season in Alaska and in MT Rainier, it is time for me to start training for my coming expedition. I got the opportunity to do some work and personal climbing in the North cascades and leavenworth area. This type of terrain it is a great training for my trip. Very long days alpine rock climbing are the prefect terrain for me to train. In the end I end up logging 109 hours of training in less than two weeks. Between approaching, climbing, Running and doing yoga. They all add up !!!!!

Great views into the enchantments after guiding the Dragon tail. this set up ( approach shoes and crampons) are the best set up for short snow and long rock climbs!!!!!!

A nice look to the Shuksan East face on our way to the fishers chimneys.

After some working trips I got the chance to go and check out some cool routes with my expedition partner Philippe here we got the chance to check out the Tempest wall and the scoop on the colchuk balance rock formation.

What a crazy looking pitch.

After some fun personal climbing it was time for me to go work. I did some work for the North west Mountain School. own by to good friends of mine. Here it is a look of the crux pitch on the Serpentine arete on the dragon tail. 2,000 of fun climbing up to 5.8

The colchuck lake it is a great place to refresh after a long and hot day of great alpine rock climbing.

In my last trip to this area I had the great experience to fire the dragon tail on a day!!!! This trip was a work trip where James AKA "dope on a rope" as he call himself :) and I climb the route in a 13 hours push from car to car. for me , it was like the PERFECT guiding day run the approach, fire the route and run back to the car!!!! I love it !!!!!!!! Thanks for the great Day James you are awesome dude !!!!

Here is how the route goes.

Great times with James. We had super good time all the way up and down.
Now is time for me to start heading South East to Colorado and start getting ready for the big trip.