Fall is slowly arriving and that means trips to new locales to enjoy crisp temps, changing leaves, and time with new and old friends. I'd always been curious about Leavenworth, a tiny Bavarian style town in Central Washington, whose granite blocks along Icicle Creek beckon climbers from all over.

While we were lucky enough to catch dry weather, we unfortunately timed our trip with a very bad, large wildfire that saw daily drops of water from Chinook helicopters, views of hot flames above our campsite, and thick, smoky air that blocked views of what would normally be lovely pine forested mountains.

We decided to make the best of the less than ideal conditions (did I mention it was also 85 degrees...not exactly ideal for fine-grained granite slopers), and enjoy not only the beauty that Leavenworth offers, but the fun rest day activities as well. Where else can you enjoy a Bratwurst gartens, cheese shops, bakeries, breweries, farm stands, winery tours, and German music pumped through town whilst the residents occasionally walk about in lederhosen (ok, well, besides Europe??).

There are many classics in every grade not to be missed (The Classic, The Shield, Coffee Cup, Pimpsqueak, Dangle, and so many more!). Get your mantle on, and be sure to bring your technical A-game. Areas like Mad Meadows, the Beach, and the Forestland offer a lot of concentration of problems for every ability level. Most areas are practically roadside making Leavenworth a boulderers paradise.