Kangaroo Temple via North Face, 5.6
July 23, 2022
After coming off Yak Chek I was feeling pretty beat, but I had promised Francis I’d find energy to do a climb with him on this weekend. He’d been asked by his friend Steven to do a pretty random little bump in Washington pass called Kangaroo temple, and seeing as neither of us had been to that area we were pretty keen to check it out. It also seemed like a really chill day overall which is good because we needed the rest before doing Mount Baker the following day. We packed gear for the entire weekend, and met Steven in a small town in Washington called Concrete.
The drive in to Washington pass was already incredible. For anyone that hasn’t been before, I’d say the drive is worth seeing on its own. The massive face of Liberty Bell tower is especially impressive, and I was pretty starstruck by the amount of climbing possibilities in the area!
From the trailhead, I already knew I’d have an easy day. Since both Francis and Steven had overly prepared for this trip, all I really had to do was show up and walk. It was great getting to know Steven though, since I’ve been following his blog essentially ever since I started hiking more seriously back in 2018. Like me, he’d been getting more and more into the technical rock stuff, so it was pretty cool to link up for a trip! (Some would even say Steven is a little famous out here in the PNW..!) Both of the guys on this trip have a blog.. so I will go light on details of this trip.
It was a chill hike to the base of the climb, though I’ll admit despite my best efforts the boys left me in the dust. I enjoyed the views though as we passed a pretty alpine lake, and headed up into the alpine. The terrain became a little more scrambly with loose dirt and rocks, but the start of the route was thankfully really solid rock.
Francis and I find this town really funny.
Francis & I on the approach
The very pretty gem of an alpine lake!
Me coming up a snow field
We scrambled up what was about half of P1 before finally sorting out our gear. Francis decided to take all the leads to make rope management a little easier, so Steven and I hung out at the belays while he sailed up the route. I think this was actually Francis’ first time building any sort of gear anchor, but after climbing with him for a few days in the Bluffs I was sure that he was a quick learner and would figure it out just fine. 🙂
Steven and I seconded up two short pitches, one more vertical and the second an easy but exposed traverse. From this pitch, Steven decided it was now easy terrain and just soloed up the rest of the route. Francis followed up with the same, but due to exposure I still had them bring me up on top rope.
The summit was really nice, and I was again in awe of all the beautiful terrain around! Washington has really different rock from anything I’d climbed so far in Squamish, so even the colours of the scenery were entirely different. Because it was such an easy day, we spent awhile on the summit enjoying the views and taking photos.
Francis heading up the first pitch
Steven & I chillin at the belay
Steven sorting out ropes while I belay Francis up P2
All sorted! lol
Belaying Francis
Me starting up P2
P2 Traverse
Coming up an exposed section
Francis’ first gear belay !!
Francis coiling some ropes after the final pitch
Summit group shot!
Me with the pretty views !
Francis & I on the summit
When we were finally ready to descend, the boys again eagerly took the lead, taking us down 2 rappels and some downclimbing to where our gear was stashed. We packed everything up and were again quickly on our way.
Back at the alpine lake halfway down the trail I convinced everyone it would be a great day for a swim !! Although the lake was cold, we all stripped down to underlayers and happily hopped in for a cool-down. Although I only waded in enough to cool off, Francis and Steven swam out to a boulder to do an extra pitch of climbing. Francis successfully summitted in bare feet, and we laughed as he jumped back into the water.
The rest of the hike out went with no issues, and we even got to see some very cute mountain goats along the way!! It was as successful and easy a day as we’d hoped.. and now it was Francis and I’s mission to get some food and get to bed as soon as possible to tackle Mount Baker.
Francis leading the raps 🙂
Me following down
A small spire beside Kangaroo Temple on the hike out
Swimming in that pretty lake!
MOUNTAIN GOATS!!!
EEEEEE they are so cute!
Gear
- 2 twin ropes
- Double rack (though single would be more than enough)
- 4 alpine draws