47.0259, -119.9805
there is just SOMETHING about this place. you know that jacket you’ve worn for hundreds of adventures and just smells like a good weekend? it’s like that, but it’s a place, not a well-worn puff jacket.
when you pull in you see dozens of campin’ climbers drinkin’ beers around campfires. the campground is in a little valley, surrounded by some fun climbs. it’s like the “camp 4” (of yosemite) of eastern washington.
when i first came here in college, it was days after watching Valley Uprising, one of the best dirt-baggy films there is. 10/10 recommend watching it if you haven’t already! …which was just a couple weeks after my first multi-pitch climb down in Castle Valley, Utah (but that’s a story for another time)!
you wake up to the shuffle of gear, the smell of coffee, and the “hoots” of excited climbers.
there’s always the morning debate of where to go based on the sun & wind.
the racking of gear, and the fear when you can’t find one of your climbing shoes.
…then there is the line to go poop (only 2 outhouses in the whole place)!
& then the beautiful scurry to the crag! some climbs are a quick 5 minute walk, while others take 30 minutes. the “dog filter”, a tight squeeze through the rocks makes some of the sections not-so dog friendly. Most of the time, piñon stays back at camp and takes a snoozer while we send some rad climbs!
the climbing community is a good one. i feel like it is way more diverse (ethnically, socially, and socio-economically) than any other sport i’ve tried.
one climb you’ll be by some frat boys taking fat whips and blasting music, on the next one you’ll meet 2 doctors who silently send 5.11, and to wrap up the day you’ll talk about environmental politics with a 50-something year old who lives out of his van.
climbers, so different but all some sort of crazy. i mean you have to be to commit a full weekend to climbing up rocks, scraping the hell out of your knuckles, trusting your life with some sketchy bolts, and doing that all for fun, no less!
anyhow, rock on. can’t wait for my next trip out to the coulee. (yes, its only been 2.5 weeks since I was last there)
if you are wondering how climbs are rated, and what the heck i mean by “climb a 5.11” here is a great resource to CHECK OUT!
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