Yellowjacket Tower

I had low expectations for this one.  And I think largely due to that, I actually had fun.  Lots of friends had pooh-poohed this climb.  It is not a real summit, just a bump on a ridge in Leavenworth.  It's not really and alpine climb, and has too long an approach beyond the other crags to fit into that category.  It is one of the most commonly attained "Basic Rock" "summits" to be ticked off by Mounties Basic Climbing students.  

I injured my leg bad this April on a mountain bike.

After two operations and a lot of time with a wound VAC,

I was finally ready to get out.

My buddy Matty was leading a Mounties group. I invited myself along. I thought it would be the perfect way to get my feet wet after my injury. It turned out be just the ticket. The rock was surprisingly solid and fun, but easy. If you're not really expecting much out of it, I'd say it's worth it.


 The approach took about an hour and a half at a relaxed pace.  We geared up.  I offered to put myself on the middle of one of the ropes, and the Jen was psyched for her first time as a "rope lead", and it was the second's first "alpine rock climb."  I felt that would be the least intrusive.  That way I wouldn't take away from any leading, cleaning, or belaying experience. 

The first pitch was a 4th class gully, leading to bolted anchors on a big ledge.  The second pitch looked like this, mid-5th class, easy, protectable:

From the top of the second pitch, you traverse a big ledge and crawl through a rabbit hole, arriving at another giant ledge.  Then it is one short 15-foot pitch of low-5th class climbing to the summit with bolted anchors.  The actual summit is pretty small, only big enough for about two people.

Matty P. from the summit:

Jen and I on the summit: