Washington Pass Fire conditions

Im currently on a climbing trip and was planning to climb on washington pass 8/7-9. Ive been keeping up with the fire activity and it looks questionable right now. I was wondering if anyone has been up and has any beta on how safe it is to climb there right now? Specifically looking at the liberty bell group. 

Smoke will vary day to day. 

Access from the west side has been hit and miss due to highway 20 closure. If driving in from the east, you should be fine. 

If you're from NY amd here to climb, you should go for it. Most likely be fine.

The Easy fire west of WA pass just doubled in size over the weekend and socked us in with smoke hiking up to the wine spires. That said, it was back down to ~90 AQI by the next morning and climbable. It's just going to depend on what the wind is doing that day/hour. 

Remember the DEET for those biting black flies.

Did the Liberty Traverse last Friday. When we started, it was clear and lovely. By evening the smoke was unbearable, dark/heavy and raining ash. Smoke came in fast — It all depends on the wind. Time stamps for the pics below: 11:45am and 7:11pm.

Ry C wrote:

Did the Liberty Traverse last Friday. When we started, it was clear and lovely. By evening the smoke was unbearable, dark/heavy and raining ash. Smoke came in fast — It all depends on the wind. Time stamps for the pics below: 11:45am and 7:11pm.

We did the liberty traverse last Thurs and lost a #2 cam on NW corner of NEWS. Likely the crux pitch, did you by chance come across it?

FYI to those looking at this post, hwy 20 is closed between mp 148 and 157 with no estimated reopening. It's been closed a few days now.

For those curious (or from out of state), the status of this can be seen here: https://wsdot.com/travel/real-time/mountainpasses/North-Cascade-Hwy

Climbed Liberty Bell last week and there was zero smoke, as the easy fire was just smoldering, but yeah seems conditions have changed substantially since :-( 

Steven R wrote:

For those curious (or from out of state), the status of this can be seen here: https://wsdot.com/travel/real-time/mountainpasses/North-Cascade-Hwy

Climbed Liberty Bell last week and there was zero smoke, as the easy fire was just smoldering, but yeah seems conditions have changed substantially since :-( 

The "real time" report hasn't been updated since August 7th. :/

The textual report, the clickable map, and Google Maps all indicate that Hwy 20 is closed just west of the Pass, but it *appears* access to the hairpin is possible from the east, and a quick scan of ticks on some of the more popular routes suggest people are climbing there. 

Does anyone have any more recent info on the road closure?

Road closure from the west is intermittent. 

Road access from the east has been open w/o a single closure to my knowledge yet. 

Ticks are from folks coming in from the east. 

Road is currently open, sounds like by 7AM Monday 8/26 there will be pilot car access, possibly one-way at a time, so still expect delays.

https://wsdot.com/Travel/Real-time/Map/ seems to generally get more regular updates than the other links:

SR 20 North Cascades Highway has reopened between milepost 148-157. Beginning Aug. 26 Monday through Thursday between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m., there will be flagger-controlled traffic with pilot car and delays where crews are clearing catchment basins and drainages. A 35 mph advisory speed is posted between mileposts 150-154. Do not attempt to pass or pull off the road through this section. Remain alert for fire vehicles exiting and entering the roadway.

Last updated: 08/25/2024 03:40 PM