Andy Fitz leading Throbbing Gristle, Frenchman Coulee, 1997.

I am so old that I remember the first time Andy Fitz went climbing. He has gone on to make a huge impact on rock climbing in Washington, not only through his work with the Access Fund, but by the sheer volume - and quality - of the routes he has developed. After a weekend of climbing in the Tieton, Andy and I stopped off at Vantage for a final few pitches before heading home. One was Throbbing Gristle (5.9), a tawdry column face that, like most routes at Frenchman Coulee, looks better than it is. Andy was at a stance high on the column, leaning out to get a look at the last section of the route, and I had to get a shot. I had to back about 40 feet away from the base of the route – keeping Andy on belay, of course – to get just the right angle.