Customer Reviews

75 Scrambles in Washington: Classic Routes to the Summits

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Goldman's book contains a lot of interesting trip suggestions. Sure, anyone doing much climbing in the Cascades should own Beckey. I also recommend Jeff Smoot's "Climbing Washington's Mountains". And if you can get it, snag a copy of Dallas Kloke's "One Day Winter Climbs In The Cascades". But this book also has a place in the library of a scrambler.

My main objection is the limitation Goldman seems to place on her trips. The hardest climbs are just a little too easy. She would really open things up to another great 50 climbs if she were willing to go just a little bit farther into the Class 3 climbing arena.

This book fills an interesting niche, focusing on alpine scrambles instead of the fourth and fifth class routes that fill the bulk of most climbing guidebooks. As such, it is a great resource when thinking about where to go on your next trip. Unfortunately, the information in the book is often neither detailed nor accurate enough to rely on; I find myself having to use Beckey's Cascade Alpine Guide and the Climber's Guide to the Olympic Mountains to supplement it for specific and reliable route details.

As a case in point, consider scramble number 74, "The Brothers": The GPS coordinates listed are wrong, ironic for an author that touts her "extensive experience with map and compass and GPS use." (The coordinates are in the wrong UTM Grid Zone; if you assume that she meant 10T instead of 10U, one is off by nearly a quarter mile.) Some of the coordinates that she does provide aren't particularly useful - obvious sites such as the trailhead, the summit and a large lake on the route - while those that would be useful, such as where the route crosses "The Nose," are omitted. Worst of all, the actual scramble description is cursory, as short as the trailhead driving directions.

Consider this book if you're looking for ideas for alpine scrambles - some in here are true classics. If you do buy the book, however, look for better route descriptions elsewhere, and turn a skeptical eye to trip details, lest they get you in trouble out in the woods.

You're much better off buying the Beckey books on which most of these route descriptions seem to be based. Also a lot of the GPS coordinates don't match up against maps.

As the author notes in the introduction, there really weren't any guides dedicated to scrambling in Washington despite many guidebooks for hiking, mountaineering, etc. Thus the author notes the reason for her writing the book. I enjoy her style in the introduction, make sure you read that part if you purchase this guide. I only wish I had purchased it earlier. It might have saved me some time and effort on hikes/scrambles I did that were in the book. It has been out of print for awhile so you will probably have to pay a bit more than the original cover price. But well worth it!

Peggy Goldman's book really fills a niche that, even in the 9 years since it was published, appears to be without any competition. These are the climbs to take when you don't want to use a rope, don't want to be scared, but do want to feel like you have climbed something. If you are a strong hiker, want to take your hiking to the next level, and are willing to leave the marked trail, this is absolutely the book for you.

I have used this book for 5 or 6 years to find climbs. This is the guidebook I use when I want to go for a morning or take someone who wants to feel what it is like in the Alpine Zone. In all honesty, the scrambles listed here have been some of my most enjoyable "climbs" because they are just fun. That is what this book is really all about, a very concise list of scrambles that are challenging without being scary. So, get the book and go climb Hibox Peak, it really is a lot of fun and you won't need a rope.

This is the first book I recommend to anyone who wants to take up "climbing" in Washington.

The idea to place 75 Scrambles in one book is very good. However I would agree that Becky's Guide to the Cascades is much more complete and has adequate route descriptions and approach data. Also, the use of the UTM Grid system leaves me cold. GPS systems don't read out that way so the information is useless to me. (Another reviewer also said it happened to also be inaccurate info!). It is quite a shame that the book wasn't better researched in that regard. Also, while some of the scrambles are great selections, some were not, and I was disappointed in the great scrambles that were left out. For the Olympic Mountains you should get the 4th Edition of Olympic Mountains A Climbing Guide (Mountaineers Books) which is much better for that area: More complete. I liked the pictures and the maps. The Introduction is well written. There is an index and an equipment list in the back of the book.

I'd probably check it out of the library and take a good look at it before purchasing it. You might only be interested in one or two of the routes. They very widely in difficulty and logistics.

Great book. I just wanted to say that I disagree with the review that says get the Beckey books instead. I love the Becky books for their comprehensiveness and the sense of history of the range that they offer, but the route descriptions for scrambling destinations in Beckey tend to be sketchy and often dated. I think this book is better for most of the the scrambling ascents that are described. For example, for Mt. Index, Beckey recommends skirting Lake Serene and then ascending Index from the far end of the Lake. This book describes the approach from the Index-Persis ridge, which is easier and safer.

A nice book, full of exciting hikes that aren't ordinary. A must get for those wanting to go beyond the well known and well trampled hikes.