Gary Fallesen / Thursday, May 10, 2012 / Categories: C4C Washington Cascade Postcard from the Ledge: Christian Conversation and Climbing Rock Climbing in Icicle Canyon near Leavenworth, Wash., July 19 By Keith Schultz Chapter coordinator God brought five of us together for the weekend to climb and reflect on our roles as climbers and Christians. The talks on the way there and back were really the highpoint for me as we covered a lot of ground getting to know each other and our relative struggles with selfishness vs. servitude. But the climbing was great, too! God’s little playground, in this case, was a four-pitch rock. I only had two 60-meter ropes so we tied into the middles and ends of both ropes. This made for some short pitches and good “ledge time.” None of the other four had ever done multi-pitch trad before so it was a great learning climb. The energy was high through the four-pitch climb, and then we ate lunch by Icicle Creek. We hiked a fair ways up the southern exposure in blazing heat (85-plus degrees) to get to the Wart Wall so Alex McClure could get in his first outdoor sport lead. It is called the Wart Wall because it has big chicken heads (knobs) sticking out here and there. Icicle granite is supreme so Alex was looking for more when he finished that one. But the day was hot and the hours short. We finished the day at the 59er Diner with good food and thick shakes. And, as I said, we continued our discussion of our responsibilities as Christian climbers on the way home. Trevor Zahn belaying Alex McClure in Icicle Canyon. From Alex McClure: “I moved up to Seattle a few weeks ago to start a summer internship. I didn't know anyone before moving here, but after talking with some climbers at work I heard about Climbing For Christ. It was an answered prayer when I heard that there was a Christian-based climbing organization right here in the Pacific Northwest. “Keith led an awesome trip up to Icicle Canyon. What impressed me most was his respect and consideration for our safety. Everyone in the group completed our routes and had a great time.” Alex, 20, a college student from San Diego, became a member of Climbing For Christ after this great chapter outing. Going a little farther Re-starting the chapter with a pair of Prayer Peaks Print 2751 Gary FallesenGary Fallesen Other posts by Gary Fallesen Contact author