April 1977
Chumstick Snag Day Climb
Spromberg Canyon
Chumstick Snag
——————– Trip Report Summary ——————–
Region: Central Washington Cascades
Sub-Region: Chumstick–Swakane Mountains
Locale: Leavenworth, WA
Setting: Spromberg Canyon
Crag: Chumstick Snag
Starting & Ending Point: Spromberg Canyon Road near Spromberg Creek Bridge
Route 1: Southwest Face (one pitch)
Route 2: South Face—East Edge / Standard Route (one pitch)
——————– Trip Report ——————–
On a sunny Spring day in 1977, Craig and I set out to climb Chumstick Snag, a striking fin of sandstone located in the Chumstick–Swakane Mountains near Leavenworth. We drove up Chumstick Highway, turned off on Spromberg Canyon Road for about ½ mile, and parked near the Spromberg Creek Bridge. From there, we set off on foot, heading up Spromberg Canyon and working onto the ridge west of the creek. We didn’t know exactly where Chumstick Snag would be, but once we gained the ridge crest, it came into view quite dramatically. Wow!
We roped up and climbed the Southwest Face route, a low Class 5 pitch with a few aid moves near the top. We then rappelled off and climbed the Class 5.7 Standard Route, which goes up the south face and east edge for one pitch. Both routes had several old bolts and a few cracks that allowed for some additional protection, as well as rappel bolts at the top. The rock quality was quite good, and the summit was spectacularly narrow. It was definitely worth the effort of finding the crag!
——————– Photo Gallery (click to enlarge) ——————–