Other Side of the Tracks

Other Side of the Tracks is well established as Spring Mountain’s most acclaimed and popular route. It features five long pitches of excellent face climbing with panoramic views of North Cascade peaks and valleys. At the route’s heart is the sustained headwall pitch (#3), surely one of Spring’s finest!

1.Up the broad slab to the 12’ vertical white headwall at 9+. Opinions differ on whether the crux is the grunty headwall move or a tricky overlap midway up the slab. This pitch looks mossy from below, but the holds are clean and more traffic will help.

2.Angle slightly left up the hanging slab at 5.7 to a 5.9 finish. A gorgeous pitch and immaculately clean.

3.Tighten up your laces for the 5.10 enduro pitch. Right off the bat is a reachy bulge that slows most suitors, even with a bolt at their face. From there, work through endless crimps, smears, sidesteps and bolts - 14 and I doubt you'll skip any!

4.The angle backs off, but enjoyable face climbing continues toward the large fir tree with a 5.9 crux bulge. Several overlaps are protected by small cams.

5.More rambling slab climbing with bits of 5.9. Use the clean rock and bolts to guide you.

Rap the route with double ropes (50 m minimum). All belay/rappel stations are double bolts.

Follow the standard Spring Mtn approach trail. When you first see the crag through the trees (~ 90% of the way up) the path forks. Steer left and side-hill to the cliff’s low point. Under massive old-growth firs, cross the obvious ‘spring’ (a tiny clear stream emerging from the wall’s base) to a shady slab with a huge grungy corner on its left. OST is the lone route up this slab - the first bolt is around 15’ up.

Draws/slings (14), gear to 2” (mostly cams) and skill to find good placements. OST is well protected but not a sport route.