Staying dry(and busy) in PNW Fall

PNW climbers, a question for you – so you’ve been getting after it all summer, taking advantage of the varied climbing and other awesome outdoor pursuits our region has to offer. In my case, I climbed volcanoes this spring; sport climbed and backpacked in the summer; and closed out October by squeezing in as many nice weekends of alpine rock as I possibly could. But now fall is really here, complete with short days and pouring rain. I know that in a few months (hopefully) that rain will turn to snow, and then I’ll happily click into my touring skis and spend the winter in pursuit of fresh tracks. For the next month or so, though, I find myself without adventurous plans to fill my weekends, hence my question to you fine folks – what do you do to keep yourself occupied when this time of year rolls around?

Vantage!
Trying to rally a few friends for this weekend. Let me know if you need/want a partner(s).

Also, scuba diving. It is the best of both worlds. Climb spring summer fall, dive fall winter spring.

+1 for Vantage. Smith Rock is a decent option as well. I usually turn all my attention to dry tooling and training for the coming ice season.

Now's the time to figure out what you want to get up this winter and scout the approaches with an eye for what it'll look like covered with snow. Little Si is good no matter how much it rains unless the wind is howling. Leav and Vantage are still on the table. Hike the Tunnel Creek trail up from the Dosewallips, 4500' of elevation in 3 1/2 miles. Don't let a bit of dampness slow you down, there's lots to get after!

Snuggle up with the wife and dogs earning Spouce Points(TM) to be spent when weather becomes more agreeable.

Don't forget Tieton--only a little bit further than Vantage and I think the climbing is better. Aside from a few seepy routes, the lower town wall can be in prime shape if you get a few dry days in a row.

I hate mud season.

It's a good time to catch up on house projects. Organize and clean the gear room. Wax the snowboard and check the glue on the skins. Change the spark plugs in the sleds. Swap out winter tires. Remind yourself how well goretex and synthetic puffies work on "training hikes" in 37* rain and wind. Pull on plastic in the gym. Build your own wall in the closet. Ride a mountain bike but hop over the puddles. Do trail work, bikes, approach, crags, whatever, it's time for some maintenance. Run, swim, hit the gym, get the legs strong for touring. Appreciate the time with friends. It's the ski/snowboard social season, although by now most of the big movie premiers have already come through the area. Get FOMO from some of the early season TRs from people who have already been skiing and posted pictures of "pow" even though it's wind effected styrofoam. It's hard to argue about snow quality from your couch/desk.

Don't worry, it seems like mud season will be bearably short this year.

If you're into splitter cracks... TROUT CREEK!

Acquire/refresh certifications and get stoked for the upcoming season!

Took up whitewater kayaking and it saved me from suicide last year! It's a good bad weather sport.