Mount Helen, Northwest Ridge of the First Tower. On August 29 Dennis Turville, Lynn Wheeler and I started up two pitches of unnecessary climbing to gain the ridge, which we could have reached more easily via the gully between the first and second towers. We followed the entire ridge directly with many large belay ledges atop pillars. The last two pitches presented the most difficulty, involving some aid up slightly overhanging sections and a spectacular mantel. NCCS III, F8, Al. 11 pitches.

Dean Hannibal, Unaffiliated