Mission to get in Climbing Shape - China Bend, WA then Q'Emlin Park, ID

It seems spring skiing has taking a back seat to spring climbing:)  The bug has bitten yet again.  Saturday Brian and I went to one of WA best kept secrets, China Bend.  This gorgeous (yes I just used the word gorgeous) limestone crag sits above the untainted Columbia river, which at this point is fresh Canadian run off.  China bend features maybe around 40 routes, most in the 5.12 range.  The climbing includes some tufas but mainly edges and and rails.  Several 2 pitch routes also exist.  According to Marty Bland's Inland Northwest Rock Climbing Guidebook, Pork Sausage 5.11a is the best 5.11a in the book.  I would have to agree as Pork Sausage was my only send (Onsight) of the day:)  Brilliant route 14 bolts long climbing up a  unique black limestone streak.

Right side of the Main Wall - China Bend

Pork Sausage 5.11a, climbs the black streak then finishes straight on to underneath the bush

On Sunday, Brian , Casey and I went to Q'emlin Park, in Post Falls Idaho for some more.  We decided to play in the sun, thus headed to the sunny Upper Fifth Canyon sector.  Which provides some quality routes on steep highly featured granite.  Below is a nice sequence Casey captured on my favorite route of the day.