Date: July 25 & 26, 2020
Location: Elwha River
Author: Eve Wool
Training Stage: N/A
Climbing Type: Sport Climbing & Top Roping
After a long quarantine, it was a lot of these ladies' first time back on rock, but that did not stop us from having a great time. We started the trip at Waka Beach, an awesome wall where you wade through the river to access some climbs. After getting cool in the river, we put up some ropes on some great 5.7’s and 8’s, including Elwhatusi and Haus Frau, and a top rope only 5.9+ (Fisted Sister) that I would describe as the world’s sandiest climb. Despite getting several eyefuls of sand, the climb was juggy, fun and challenging. Some climbers really found their groove, Christina and Julia both crushed some lead and Priyanka practiced lead belaying. Tiffany cruised up an old favorite of hers, Waka Jawaka, and I took a ton of falls trying to get over the crux on the roof section.
On day two we headed to the Elwhall, where Crystal worked on a tricky 5.9 and Victoria found her footing on a couple climbs, notably a shady 5.8 with the sound of the river rushing in the background. I took a ton more lead falls on pretty much everything I climbed and found my favorite 10b ever- The Breeze. Christina had a great moment on top rope, where she fell off this wandering climb and had to complete the entire bottom section without takes in order to get back up, which she did. Tiffany top roped a sand-bagged 11 that required so much stamina she said it made her sick, but she left no gear behind. The Elwhall is a great wall because it’s shady, so we were able to climb into the early evening without roasting on the hot day. The climbs at both walls are pumpy, powerful and require stamina.
Other various notes from the trip: the RV campsite had nice amenities, Tiffany has a list of racist restaurants in Seattle to avoid (complete with their offensive tweets!), sleeping in your car isn’t so bad and lattes are cheap on the peninsula.
Overall pros: Some of the most scenic water views you can get without deep water soloing, awesome rock formations (including fossils!) and really challenging lower grade climbs that are great for practicing falls on (unlike most of blocky 7’s and 8’s at the exits, vantage and other popular destinations).
Overall cons: Rocks are sandy and you will also be sandy. Not a con if you like sand. 8.5/10 would climb again!