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fitzontherocks
Mar 28, 2006, 2:08 PM
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I'm hoping to visit northern Idaho this summer. My sister, who lives in Spokane, sent me a postcard of Chimney Rock and now I'm jazzed about that. Anybody have some good beta on it, or nearby areas? I'm down for sport or trad to about 5.10.
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eellis
Mar 28, 2006, 3:21 PM
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I've never climbed there but want to, I have spent time at Priest Lake below it and it's a beautiful area.
Summitpost.org has great beta on chimney rock and even has topos and route descriptoins.
Good Luck and have fun.
I don't live in the Area (currently live on the East cost) other wise I'd gladly climb with you.
When are you going to be in Spokane?
-Ezra
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fitzontherocks
Mar 28, 2006, 4:05 PM
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We're looking at mid to late July. Sister says the weather's best then. (I lived in the Idaho panhandle for seven years as a kid, but that's ages ago.)
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roadstead
Apr 1, 2006, 8:34 AM
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http://rockclimbing.com/routes/listArea.php?AreaID=1089
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fitzontherocks
Apr 3, 2006, 7:36 AM
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Thanks, roadstead. I have visited the routes db, but was hoping for some more detailed info. The route "Chimney Rappel (5.6)"... that is a route, right? How many pitches? And the West Face Standard (5.3), same thing: how many pitches? Is there a guidebook with more detailed route descriptions (and approach directions)? Thanks!
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roadstead
Apr 3, 2006, 5:05 PM
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http://rockclimbing.com/photo/photo_show.php?id=48319
This is a link to the West face topo, this topo is about as good as it gets. Randy Greens book is long out of print and there has been nothing new been done. The Chimney Rappel Route D (5.6) and the West Face Standard Route E (5.3) are both nice 2 pitch climbs.
approach directions: http://rockclimbing.com/routes/listArea.php?AreaID=1089 This is about as good as it gets again. But I'm sure you'll have a map, that's great help with the roads it's about 10 miles in the last 1/3 of a mile is hard on a car. There's only one trail it heads northeast out of the parking lot.
Chimney's a nice place have fun. If I can help more PM me.
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fitzontherocks
Apr 4, 2006, 5:52 AM
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Thanks! My sister's actually in Cheney. Maybe I'll drop you a line before we make the trip. First hand knowledge is always good to have along.
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yomamaphat
Apr 13, 2006, 8:48 PM
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Leave early, it takes a while to get there and the approach takes a while too. From Sandpoint which is relatively close "as the crow flies" it seemed to take up to 2 hours just to get the the trail head. Then you're looking at 2 - 2.5? miles of hiking (beautiful Idaho alpine country).
The easy 5.3? route is the only one I've done and I've done it twice. Route finding can be difficult, don't paint yourself into a corner! Last time I went up there the leader lead most of the route with slings. The challenge is not the climb but maybe the route finding.
Also: There are rodents with appetites. First time up there upon rappelling back to ground I found my sandwich which I was looking forward to was ravaged a bit. Zip up your pack on the ground to secure your food!
If you do make it up there you're gonna have a great time! The hike in and the climb is excellent.
Good luck!
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fitzontherocks
Apr 14, 2006, 6:03 AM
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We may stay on the lake, which would cut the drive time. I found this link:
http://www.leang.com/kam/mountains/tr/chimney_rock/
So far, it's the most detailed route description I've found online. There may be better descriptions in guide books. Dunno. Are bears a concern?
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eellis
Apr 18, 2006, 4:53 PM
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I grew up in Spokane and North Eastern Washington, saw two bears in my life, both of them black bears, both ran the opposite direction of how I ran. I don't think they typically get Grizzlies in there (correct me if I'm wrong). Black bears (unless you come between the mother and cub) will not mess with you. Grizzlies are another story.
Make noise and hang your food if you camp. You'll be fine, the drive up is more dangerous then the bears.
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