Greener Pastures

Route Info Greener Pastures is a moderate third pitch on the White Buttress, an obscure quartzite feature perched high above the Armed and Dangerous Wall. It sits in stark contrast to all other exposed rock on the hillside and when I look across the Baker River Valley toward Rattlesnake Mountain, this single feature stands out to me the most. Maybe it does to you too? Maybe it's because for the better part of a year I viewed this shining stone from the end of my driveway leaving for work every day, and found it increasingly hard to resist its beck and call (Climb me, climb me, climb me.....) Regardless of a rock communicating with me via telepathy, the actual climbing on route is nothing special, but it's position over the valley, airy feeling, and an opportunity to get away from it all leaves this meager addition to the hillside feeling like something greater than the sum of its parts. Feel free to accuse me of waxing poetic about a 50' dirt crawl on an already over-bolted hillside, I definitely just did. The top of the White Buttress is one of my favorite spots in the Baker River Valley, and I hope that other's may find it as inspiring as I have. If you didn't, go do it again on a good sunset. Actual Route Info Climb both pitches of the Big Easy passing the second anchor to arrive at the base of the White Buttress. From an anchor in an alcove on the right side of the White Buttress, trend up and right via a juggy dihedral to easy ledgy terrain before the final headwall. Stand up into a large undercling feature and the rest should come naturally, culminating in a tricky lip encounter. A two bolt anchor at the top of the cliff will allow you to bring up your second, spend quality time enjoying the astounding scenic beauty of this gigantic exposed monolith, and then walk off merrily down the overland trail via Orange Crush, or Bonsai.

Climb the Big Easy (or one of several other options) past the second anchor to the base of the White Buttress. Belay at bolts on the right side, and follow bolts trending up the right side of the buttress to its summit. To walk off, head straight into the woods for about 50 yards until you cross the Overland Trail. Going right leads you to Orange Crush, going left will take you towards Bonsai and Waimea. There is also a scramble down and to the left towards Venus wall, however I can't personally recommend it.

Bolts, shorter climbers may want a stiff draw for clipping the last bolt from the undercling.