Overview

Washington climbing is some of the best in the Pacific Northwest.  The climbs and boulder problems in WA are some of the best rock clusters in the west.  Leavenworth granite rivals anything in Yosemite. The boulders are large, inviting, and tall.  Vantage is an area located in the Washington desert and has amazing rock Pinnacles called the Feathers.  The Ozone climbing area is a sport/trad area in the southern tier of the state that offers climbing on basalt, a volcanic breed of stone that is soft and featured.  Spokane has climbing on great quality granite at areas like Minniehaha, Mclellan Rocks, bouldering at TumTum, and basalt sport routes at Deep Creek.  The areas in and around Spokane are less then 30 minutes from town and there are at least a dozen quality areas.

When most climbers think of Washington state they think of Index or the Cascades.  These areas offer multi-pitch granite routes that can challenge any alpinist.  The Cascade Volcanoes offer glacier travel year round.  Mt Ranier is a massive giant that sees thousands of climbers summitting each season.  The Seattle area and Puget sound have some nearby climbing as well.  north Bend just outside Seattle is home to Mount Si, a large granite peak that has bouldering, and tons of sport routes.  Many areas lie scattered from Seattle to Ellensburgh Washington in the center of the state providing climbers the opportunity to climb sport or trad within an hours drive.

Beta

There is climbing in WA state year round.  many climbers think that because it is in the Pacific Northwest that it rains all year.  This statement can’t be more false.  The weather from late spring to late fall is usually picture perfect not-a-cloud-in-the-sky weather.  Many non-resident climbers also don’t realize that central and eastern Washington are in a desert.  This area does get cold in winter but makes year-round climbing possible.

Newer areas on the Columbia River Gorge have recently become popular. many new sport areas are now within close proximity to southern WA and the Portland metro.  Another Columbia River destination that is often overlooked is Beacon Rock.  This large monolith resembles a mini Devils Tower with classic basalt climbs and multi-pitch routes.

 

Washington Rock Climbing at MT Ranier

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