Climbing Three Fingered Jack

Three Fingered Jack Climb

-Climbing Three Fingered Jack-

Three Fingered Jack was an unnerving climb for us. The rock is not the best and there is a degree of difficulty that makes for a good challenge. We made it up with no real difficulties but on the ride back home we talked about how we would probably never climb Three Fingered Jack again. I think I have reconsidered sinse then and would be willing to go up for the challenge again. It was a thrill that you don't get from anything else.

The approach to Three Fingered Jack is on the Pacific Crest Trail from Santiam pass. You can see the climber trail from here.

Getting closer to the climb. We gained the ridge and followed it up to the pinacle where you begin the climb.

This is the infamous "crawl" where you are forced to get down on all fours and duck under a rock overhang.

You can see where the carabiner is there is a crusty piton in the rock. Not real solid looking but probably strong enough to hold a lateral fall that could occur here.

Here I am working my way up the final chimney to the summit. There are plenty of places to place protection and the rock isn't all that bad. I had fun on this pitch.

Mike climbing up the final chimney to the summit.

Mike sitting on top. Not much room to sit here. Doesn't make you want to stay too long. We're only half way there. Now time to head down.

Tony King heading down the rappell rope from the summit pinacle. All went well on the descent. We were real careful and thought things through to reverse our climb.

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