Interstate Block

    Gear Used:
  • 60 meter rope
  • quickdraws
July 30, 2008

The Approach

Exit 38 is about a 45 minute drive from Seattle. Great place to go if you only have a few hours to burn. Park at the pull out immediately after you drive under the bridge. Start walking up the road until you cross the river then hop the guard rail and start hiking.

The Climbs

Interstate Block is broken up into 3 separate areas. Headlight Point which has a bunch of fun moderate routes. Eastern Block which is basically a continuation of Headlight Point only separated by the cave area and finally Squishy Bell which is a couple minutes uphill from Kiss of the Crowbar.

I seem to have lost my Exit 38 book so I don't know what any of the route names are.

5.9

Climb easily up the slab following bolts until you can start the traverse. This is where the crux is and adds some good spice to the climb. After the traverse climb straight up to chain anchors. Eric lead this climb and I followed.

Lip Service 5.10c**

A couple feet to the right of the last climb and follows bolts that go directly up the slab. Fun climbing with painful crimpers on the steep slab. Eric lead this and I followed.


Eric climbing the slab.

5.11a**

I never even considered climbing this route as it is way above my ability. Eric took the lead and cruised up it. It's a long route and starts pretty easy with the crux being right at the top. Climb the corner system but use the arete allot, once you make it past the corner follow the steep face over a roof and into another roof. The second roof is the crux. I only had to hang once on top-rope!


Eric climbing the super bad ass 5.11a.

EB1 5.9**

We hiked up the trail a bit more to a steep wall lined with bolts. I think all the routes are named EB (Eastern Block) followed by a number. Besides the second one which is Ellie's Sweet Kiss. We didn't have much time so we just got on whatever was first in line.

Their was really nothing great about this route. The first bolt I could reach from the ground, what's the point? Anyway's, I lead up to anchors and lowered down. There is a run out in the middle with easy climbing.


Eric on EB1.

Ellie's Sweet Kiss 5.10a***

This was a typical Interstate Point climb. Steep and blocky! Pretty fun climbing with a great roof to over come at the top.


Eric climbing the roof on Ellie's Sweet Kiss.

It was great climbing with Eric again. I hope we can get out more often. Maybe Chianti Spire? I like a fine wine. How about you?

-Useful guide books-

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