North America, United States, Washington, Cascade Mountains, Grand Central Tower, Peshastin Pinnacles

Publication Year: 1963.

Grand Central Tower, Peshastin Pinnacles. The entirely overhanging southeast face was climbed in two sessions of largely artificial climbing, which involved the use of pitons from knife-blades to giant wooden blocks. A few bolts were needed, and at one point a 20-foot overhang was overcome with a free-prusik ascent, by climbing up inside a vertical tunnel and hanging a rope out through an upper opening. The party consisted of Hank Mather, Dan Davis, Eric Bjornstad, and me.

Fred Beckey