Exfoliation Dome — Westward Ho
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Westward Ho is the canonical moderate classic on Exfoliation Dome's Blueberry Hill (West Slabs) — four premium, modern-bolted pitches of clean white-granite friction (5.9+, 5.8, 5.9, 5.9, ~600 ft) that most parties rappel from atop P4. The best 5.6-5.10c line on the dome — high-quality and well-equipped by Darrington standards, but still committing slab. A real alpine slab day, not a casual clip.
🚗 Getting there & comms
Trailhead: Exfoliation Dome / Blueberry Hill TH, FS Road 2060
From Darrington, S on Mountain Loop Hwy, then onto FS Road 2060; ~5-7 mi up the rough road crossing washouts; park at the pullout past the second washout (Granite Sidewalk access). High-clearance recommended.
⛽ Last services: Darrington (gas, small store). Hospital in Arlington ~28 mi SW.
📶 Cell signal: Effectively none — carry a satellite messenger.
🧗 Routes
🥾 Approach · descent · season
Approach: From the TH, hike the 'Granite Sidewalk' — a ~1,500 ft low-angle granite ramp with treacherous slab sections — ~1.5 hr to the West Slabs.
⬇️ Descent: From atop P4, three double-rope rappels off fixed chains, or downscramble the Approach Gully. Loose rock during raps.
🗓️ Season: Late spring-fall (May-Oct); best dry summer. Slabs need to be bone-dry.
🎒 Gear & food
Rack: Bolted face: ~12 draws + small/micro cams (P4 overlaps) + a few nuts. Helmets mandatory.
Ropes: Double / twin 60m ropes (West Slabs rappel).
✅ Before you leave the trailhead
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🏕️ Land · camp · water · permits
🪧 Land & passes: Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie NF (Darrington RD).
📋 Permits: NW Forest Pass to park; verify FS Road 2060 access.
⚠️ Hazards · fire · emergency
- RUNOUT SLAB — bolts 20-40 ft apart, thin moves 10-15 ft above pro. 5.9+ climbs bolder than a Leavenworth/Index 5.9.
- Wet/lichenous rock kills friction
- Rockfall — helmets
- Loose rock on the multi-rappel descent
- Rough FS Road 2060 washouts
- No cell — self-rescue
🆘 Emergency contacts
- Emergency (SAR via 911) 911 — Routes to Snohomish County for SAR
- Cascade Valley Hospital ER, Arlington 360-435-2133 — Nearest ER, ~28 mi SW
🌤️ Live conditions
Auto-updated 20h ago · °F · tap a link for the mountain-specific picture ↓
👀 In the field
Tap any for ID, edibility & first-aid.
📍 Nearby & other interest
- Three O'Clock Rock (across the valley)
- Blueberry Buttress (5.8+)
- Dark Rhythm (5.10c)
- Squire Creek Wall
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