Small Escapes...

There is a bit of magic to be found not many miles from home, in the backyard more or less. A new trail, a new tiny historic highway leaving an historic little town and traversing a windy plateau dotted with centuries old barns in rich volcanic farmlands. A viewpoint for Memaloose Island (translated from Chinook as "To Die"in the Columbia River. An Island where the local natives, instead of burying, would leave their dead on platforms and parked canoes exposed to the elements. Sounds a lot less claustrophobic then the now-dominant convention. In the early 1800's when Lewis and Clark rowed past they mentioned bodies piled high on numerous platforms...

ISLE OF DEAD LIES IN COLUMBIA, By Lida Wheeler MacGowan, The Oregonian, Portland, OR., May 31, 1931, magazine section, page 3, 

"Standing in the mid-channel of the Columbia River, a few miles below where the Klickitat pours in from the north is a bare, flat-topped mass of basalt and sand known as Memaloose Island. Fittingly chosen by the sages of the wild tribes that in ages past lived on the great plains of the upper Columbia basin, it was used as a burial place of the dead. This Isle of the Dead was a neutral burying ground used in common by all the tribes inhabiting either side of the river form the Cascades to and beyond the Blue mountains, among then being the Cascades, Klickitats, Snakes, Wascos, Bannocks and Umatillas." 

I've not been, but the Tom McCall Nature Preserve on the Rowena Crest, certainly looked and I imagine felt like a jaunt in the Scottish Highlands. At the edge of the dark clouds with sun slicing through to the east, icy wind and intermittent rain, slipping up a muddy and snow-spotted trail to McCall Point high above the River.

Thankful for the small escapes...

Beyond the Southeast Corner

My recent rediscovery of Beacon Rock, beyond the Southeast Corner, seems destined to be short lived with the rain finally making its way back. Discovered some steep and techy pure trad lines fulfilling the requisite needs for exposure, adrenaline, adventure jungleneering with scenery quotient satisfied. Jills Thrill, Fear of Flying, Dod's, Dastardly etc... Last year I had a slow start but managed an intriguingly mossy, runout and  quite loose adventure route via the original 1901 romp which includes looping railroad spikes from the 1901 FA. The history was its selling point but it is not something I would choose to do again. Call me spoiled but also found the Southeast Corner and save a few moves of Warrior was quite underwhelmed in terms of quality.

Last year in the blazing summer heat I also slithered my way up Windsurfer, perhaps the best pitch there so assumed there would be a few more gems lurking. If it weren't for the fees to park, the near 9 months of rain and the hour plus drive, falcon closures, the endless trains blasting past it would be a much easier destination. Bugling elk on the island offshore (thanks Kenny for clueing me in that Elk are such able swimmers) and kiteboarders wheeling around the windswept surf and dodging barges is pretty neat when you get  up high enough. When I feel charged enough to tackle the slicked-out 11s I am sure I will enjoy the place even more.

Kenneth Allen follows Dod's...

Beacon does have a unique charm... Lots of sketchy pitons, techy slick climbing and tricky gear while negotiating loose rock and grass hummocks mantles and grades that seem like they were pulled out of a hat... The positioning is stunning and the staunch stalwart crew of disciples it has bred over the years is also quite remarkable... Check out the new and improved and recenyly ramped up Beacon Rock Climbing Association... I hope to make it out for the next trail day...