X-Tower…
I first explored the Clatsop Towers back in Jan 2021, and ever since I’ve wanted to get to the top of all of them. The X-Tower is the largest of them all…so let’s start with that one. We came out for the first attempt just 4-weeks ago, but the temp was low with a cold breeze. I was able to stick a couple of bolts, but bolts 3 & 4 pulled out…the lower rock is that bad… We decided to bail and wait for a warmer drier day.
That day was yesterday. Me, Matt Fogerty, and my lovely wife Deb were the FA team, although Deb chose to stay below and take pics…Actually she scrambled up Bear Grass Butte for the pictures. Thanks Deb!
It was a dry warm day. We sank 11 bolts and 2 anchor bolts for the 100’ route to the summit. The lower third was thick moss and fractured rock…making it tough to carve out a place to drill a solid placement. As we ascended, the rock quality got better and it was much easier to trust the bolts. Still, you had to really test the holds as many popped off. A fall on this tower would certainly take some skin off.
Unfortunately, these towers are locked up 4-miles inside of private timber land and requires you to have a permit…and it cost money, are limited, and sell out fast. It’s worth it to me because there is a lot to explore in this area.
Fun and unique adventure climb in the North Oregon Coastal Range.
Matt taking off where I left off 4-weeks ago…
Belay behind a large log…
Sun is just coming over the rock…soon the belayer will be blinded…
Matt nearing the final ramp to the top…
Installing the anchor bolts…
Thanks for the bely Matt…
A view of the Pin Tower, The Wall, and Onion Peak in the far distance.
At the summit…
Posers…
Summit snag, Sugarloaf Mountain (left) and Saddle Mountain (right).
Repelling off the top…
Nice anchor…
On our walk out…X-Tower (right), Pin Tower (middle), and Bear Grass Butte (left)
Clatsop Ears? Future project
