A new guidebook was recently released by Blake Herrington that covers 160 of the best multi-pitch and alpine climbs in Washington and Southern BC. The book itself, aptly named Cascades Rock, is spectacular and if purchased will most likely live on the top of your toilet seat if you are so inclined. Deep within its pages holds the secrets to many amazing areas from the Stuart range to Washington Pass, Southern BC, Index, and the North Cascades. Squamish Climbing Magazine had a chance to touch base with Blake as he was touting the book on this side of the border and here is what he had to say.
Cover of new book. Photo courtesy of Blake Herrington ©
Thanks for taking the time to chat with us. The new book is just awesome! How does it feel to have it finally out?
It has been a huge learning process each step of the way and even though I doubt I’ll write another book, I am confident that I would be able to make a second one happen with far fewer struggles and hiccups. Now that it’s “out” my work switches from writing and getting it made, into tracking, warehousing, and getting it out to climbers.
I want to talk about the process of writing this book. How long did it take and what was the process like for you?
The process for me began about three years ago, shortly after moving back to the Cascades from Colorado. I realized how amazing our climbing was, and how few people knew it existed. There certainly wasn’t much in the way of print (or even online) publications to describe the climbing. I ended up by just beginning via creating dozens of word documents, and then collecting possible photos, and then learning about the potential software that one could use to create topos. I eventually integrated all of this into an Adobe Indesign document after watching hours of online Adobe tutorials and paying a graphic designer professional to help me with a layout template.
Blake on Gorrilas in the Mist, Mt. Stuart. Photo courtesy of Blake Herrington ©
Writing a book like this, many people can get lost in the process. Why did you originally decide to collect all this information?
I had originally started via my blog, sharing emails with friends and folks who asked for beta, and writing articles or reports for the American Alpine Journal. I had already compiled a list of what I considered to be the “unpublished classics”, which weren’t in any guidebook.
Obviously, the Cascades are a pretty special spot for you. Who first introduced you to their beauty?
I started hiking in the region with my family when I was a kid, but began climbing basically as a solo endeavour when I was 19 or so. I’ve climbed with everyone from a 91-year-old Fred Beckey to a 14-year-old son of one of my first climbing partners.
Blake on Supercave Wall. Photo courtesy of Blake Herrington ©
Sample topo of Supercave Wall. Photo courtesy of Blake Herrington ©
With 160 routes, there are a ton of adventures to be had. Did you complete every route in the book?
I didn’t climb every route, but did complete the majority. I realized that if I were going to wait until I climbed every single good or great climb, that the book would NEVER happen. I was pleased to be able to include multiple new routes that were actually established just late last summer by some long-time local climbers who I trust as having a good eye towards quality lines, and these are likely to become very popular.
Squamish’s Colin Moorhead on The Tiger (5.11c), Washington Pass. Photo courtesy of Blake Herrington ©
For those who love adventure, which route sticks out above the rest?
The 10 adventurous “choss classics select” list in the back of the book describes long climbs that are more stereotypically “Cascadian” in nature.
And for those who just want to clip some bolts and enjoy the view?
Infinite Bliss on Mt. Garfield, Heaven’s Gate on the Index Wall, Mile High Club on Morning Star Peak.
Thanks for chatting with us Blake and thanks again for your work on this book. It takes a lot of work to get something out like this and climbers will be appreciating it over the years!
North Ridge of Mt. Stuart. Photo taken by Garrett Grove courtesy of Blake Herrington ©
To Purchase a copy of Cascades Rock, please visit the Cascades Rock website and follow the paypal link. For more information on the book and other routes, please visit Blake’s blog.
