Playin' Possum

Overview

Playin' Possum is a nice 3 pitch line on the Clem's Holler buttress in lower Tumwater Canyon. This climb features face climbing, slab climbing, and crack jambing.

Getting There

From Leavenworth, drive west down highway 2 for .6 miles past the junction and park in the pullout on the south side of the street. Find the trail about 100 feet west of here and follow it steeply up the hillside for 20 minutes to the base of the crag. Playin' Possum is the first route you come to, the rightmost of the 3 climbs that start near each other.

Route Description

Pitch #1 - 5.8 - Climb straight up the face using bolts for protection and exit onto the slab above. Belay at the bolted station. 90 feet.

Pitch #2 - 5.6 - This pitch is rated 5.8 on the topo, but feels much easier. Climb up the easy slab clipping numerous bolts and belay at the station below the steeper section. 70 feet

Pitch #3 - 5.10B - Climb up on the big flake, clip the bolt, then power up the thin difficult slab (10b). Move up and to the right to the base of a nice left angling finger and thin handcrack. Jamb this to the top then clip the last bolt. Now traverse to the right and do a couple of difficult friction moves (10b), then belay from the top anchor. This pitch is rated 5.10 on the topo and 5.10a in the description, the topo feels correct. 90 feet

Note: Pitches 1 and 2 can be combined with 12 draws.

Down - 3 single or 1 single and 1 double rope rappels off the route's belay stations will get you go the ground.

Essential Gear

1 set of cams to 1.5"
6 draws
60 meter rope

External Links

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Images

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