jvesquire Posted February 10, 2006 Share Posted February 10, 2006 Hi there, Any suggestions from anyone on places to boulder (out of the gym!) in eastern Washington? I'm new to the area and looking for something that is relatively close to the Tri-Cities. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrogdortheBurninator Posted February 10, 2006 Share Posted February 10, 2006 Not sure how close is close, but the new Tieton guide lists a couple bouldering areas near Yakima. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurthicks Posted February 10, 2006 Share Posted February 10, 2006 I heard mention of some old granite boulders (from the missoula floods) suitable for pebble wrestling in Tri-Cities. perhaps Sobo could enlighten us? I have not found anyone to substantiate that rumor though. Banks has pebbles to pull. Vantage has a couple too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Distel32 Posted February 11, 2006 Share Posted February 11, 2006 do the longer drive to 11worth-it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sobo Posted February 11, 2006 Share Posted February 11, 2006 Granite in the Dry-Shitties? Surely you jest, Kurt. Those boulders are in Renton, near a school... jvesquire: The Oklahoma Dustbowl of Washington is frought with nothing but friable, chossy basalt, period. If that's your cup o' tea, then bust a law and go pebble wrestling at Two Sisters on the Columbia River, on SR 730 just west of the Wallula Gap. Now, be aware that some old survivalist asshole (adjacent property owner) got his panties in a twist about 5 years ago and convinced the spineless Walla Walla County Commissioners to close the place to climbing. However, I bet you could hop the fence at the parking lot and no one would be the wiser (did I just suggest breaking the law? ). They still allow hiking in the area along the few trails, but I would think that if you were discreet, and packed all your (obvious) boulder gear out of sight in a pack on your approach and departure, you'd come off looking like a (legal) hiker in the area. My $0.02 Photo of Two Sisters from Kevin Pogue's website: Otherwise, go climbing at Spring Mountain, Vantage, or Tieton (all three are better basalt and/or andesite). And as wazzu said, Banks is the closest place for granite bouldering, and there's a few longer lines there as well, and in Northup Canyon across the highway from Steamboat Rock and up the dirt road a short piece. You couldn't miss it even if you tried. Here's a link to Kevin Pogue's climbing website that should help you get oriented to nearby climbing areas. Click the top link for the map, and then select the area from the list below the map that pops up. Clicking on the numbers on the map doesn't work. PM me if you're interested in doing longer routes, but know that I'm not around as much as I used to be (new kid). Enjoy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvesquire Posted February 13, 2006 Author Share Posted February 13, 2006 Thanks for the tips. Sobo, I'm not in the area just yet (March 1) but will PM you when I get settled in. I've actually been to Twin Sisters when I was a kid and did some noodling around, before it was closed up. Being a laywer myself, it probably doesn't behove me to the local bar to get arrested the first week I begin practicing. Thx! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtn_mouse Posted February 13, 2006 Share Posted February 13, 2006 I heard mention of some old granite boulders (from the missoula floods) . There are some granite boulders in eastern wa as a result of the ice age floods, glacial erratics that were carried downstream from Montana. Some are quite big up near highway 2 by Wilbur. I remember seeing some south of the Potholes reservoir, in the Columbia National Wildlife Refuge. Just head for Othello and the drumhiler channel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kix Posted February 13, 2006 Share Posted February 13, 2006 east side? nothing in bellevue to my knowledge. heheh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MCash Posted February 13, 2006 Share Posted February 13, 2006 There is also Spokane area bouldering with Minehaha, Tum Tum, and the beach at Post Falls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
still_climbin Posted February 13, 2006 Share Posted February 13, 2006 You might try some of the slabs and boulders at Vernita, 40 minutes north of Richland and west of the Vernita Bridge. Its all basalt but highly erroded from the Missoula floods which makes it more interesting. Not sure how access is now that an orchard has been planted at the base of some of the best slabs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
still_climbin Posted February 13, 2006 Share Posted February 13, 2006 WAZZU-- I checked out the Kevin Poque site you mentioned and was suprized to see Granite Point. Unfortunately the Marty Bland link did't work so I can't see what's going on now days. In the OLD DAYS Granite Point was much larger and a great place to learn cracks, faces and slabs...even a few short leads. Classics like Skin Graft Crack all were lost when the dam was built. I'd sell my soul to have Granite Point near the Tri Cities today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cricket Posted February 13, 2006 Share Posted February 13, 2006 When I lived in Connell, I would head up to the Potholes once in awhile. It's mostly short (and crappy) rock routes, but I found one really neat ampitheater with perfect basalt columns - short enough to boulder on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurthicks Posted February 14, 2006 Share Posted February 14, 2006 In the OLD DAYS Granite Point was much larger... GP in the present: All climbs are on the roadcut side and max out at about 40'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
still_climbin Posted February 14, 2006 Share Posted February 14, 2006 (edited) The other side of this blob was a route known as the Apron Direct, about 50 feet of slabs followed by 50 feet of face. I took my first 35 ft leader fall on that route onto a single piece of protection called a "JAM NUT" purchased from REI (from the UK)in 1970 in the interest of "clean climbing" promoted by Y. Choinard. Scared the Sh*t out of my partner. It had an impact on my thinking,(not to mention a few beers with the crew)and the attitude of the WAZZU Alpine Club at that time toward using what now has become the standard. Those were great times! Edited February 14, 2006 by still_climbin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurthicks Posted February 14, 2006 Share Posted February 14, 2006 do you have a photo or topo of the submerged side? PM me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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