Warning!

Crag Climbing is NOT feasible or safe for most Scout Units.

Climbing crags requires special training and equipment.  Even with the right training and equipment, climbing has inherent risks.  Without proper training and equipment, climbing crags places you at real risk of catastrophic injury. 

We are lucky enough to have Adults and Scouts with special training and equipment.  This has allowed us to climb many of the crags in Washington and Oregon State.  

Do NOT Attempt Outdoor Climbing without properly Trained Instructors!

Exit 32 (Little Si) 

• Location: Near North Bend, about 30 minutes from downtown Seattle.

• Best for: Sport climbing, particularly steep, overhanging routes.

• Highlights:

  • The World Wall has a high concentration of difficult sport climbs from 5.8 to 5.14c

  • It's a popular spot for strong climbers, especially on sunny afternoons and weekends

  • Some routes can be climbed in the rain. 

• mountainproject.com/area/105789876/exit-32-little-si 

Index Town Wall 

• Location: In Snohomish County, about a 1.5-hour drive from Seattle.

• Best for: Serious climbers looking for granite climbing.

• Highlights:

  • A mix of sport and trad climbing, with routes ranging from single to multi-pitch

  • The hike to the routes offers views of the forested valley 

• mountainproject.com/area/105790635/index 

Vantage - aka Frenchman Coulee

• Location: East of the Columbia River, about a two-hour drive from Seattle.

• Best for: Both sport and trad climbing on columnar basalt.

• Highlights: 

  • Weather is often acceptable here when other locations get rained out last minute

  • Popular areas like The Feathers and Sunshine Wall

  • The "Feathers" offers many short sport routes with minimal approach

  • "Sunshine Wall" has a mix of sport and trad

  • The area is best in the spring and fall, as summers can be very hot. 

• mountainproject.com/area/105792231/frenchman-coulee-vantage 

Deception Crags

• Accessible from the Iron Horse Trail, this area has routes for various skill levels. 

• Write-off Rock is a good spot for beginners, while Nevermind Wall is known for harder routes.

• mountainproject.com/area/105791955/deception-crags 

Mount Erie

• Located on Fidalgo Island, about 1.5 hours north of Seattle. 

• It's a great sunset crag with views of the Olympic Mountains, offering both sport and trad routes on diorite.

• mountainproject.com/area/106413714/mount-erie 

• Map: 

  • mountainproject.com/assets/photos/climb/126301319_large_1717540912.jpg 

  • drive.google.com/file/d/1PnWdg1WoQKaSmnR6Qb5UYYm9HZLSKhne/view 

Leavenworth

• Approximately a 2.5-hour drive, this area offers granite climbing with options for bouldering, sport, and trad climbing. 

• Barney's Rubble is a beginner-friendly crag with a very short approach. 

• Icicle Creek Canyon 

  • mountainproject.com/area/105790237/icicle-creek 

• Tumwater Canyon 

  • mountainproject.com/area/105794001/tumwater-canyon 

Tieton Crags

• Near Yakima, the Tieton River Canyon offers a collection of crags, primarily known for traditional climbing on columnar andesite rock.

• Its location east of the Cascade Mountains means it's often sunny and dry, making it a good destination for climbing in warmer or shoulder seasons. 

• The climbing areas are spread out along the canyon and offer a variety of routes.

• mountainproject.com/area/105921237/tieton-river 

• Camping: 

  • Dispersed camping is available in some areas, particularly near Wildcat Wall and along Wildcat Road. 

    • You'll need to bring a blue bag or hold it until you visit the restrooms up the road

  • Some paid campgrounds are located along the river. 

• Notable Tieton crags

  • Royal Columns:

    • Best for: Traditional crack climbing on solid columnar andesite.

    • Conditions: The "Orange Sunshine" section gets a lot of sun, making it a good choice for colder days.

    • Routes: Features longer routes, with many in the 5.10 range. The rock is hard and provides excellent surfaces for placing gear. 

  • Wildcat Creek Area:

    • Best for: A mix of high-quality traditional and sport routes on unique columnar formations.

    • Conditions: North-facing, making it a good option for climbing during warmer months to avoid the sun.

    • Crags: Includes the imposing Wildcat Wall, known for excellent cracks, and the nearby Honeycomb Buttress, which offers slab and overhanging routes on horizontal columns. 

  • Jayhawk:

    • Best for: Moderate sport routes, which are somewhat rare in the Tieton.

    • Conditions: A good option for sport climbers. The volcanic rock is rough but can be fragile and sharp in places.

    • Routes: Features yellow and orange overhangs with pockets and edges, with most routes being moderate. 

Smith Rock Oregon

• Smith Rock State Park, located near Bend, Oregon

  • It's a serious investment in driving time (12 hours there and back)

  • Incredible climbing experience for Spring Break - Summer too if you are ok with heat

• Features nearly 2,000 routes on volcanic tuff and basalt

• Famous for vertical, technical face climbing, small crimps, and sustained pockets, particularly on the iconic Monkey Face

• Spring and fall are prime seasons, with top routes including 5 Gallon Buckets (5.8) and Vomit Launch (5.10a)

  • Spring may bring nasty afternoon rains

  • Many walls can be climbed the following morning after torential rains

• Birthplace of U.S. Sport Climbing

  • Renowned as the birthplace of U.S. sport climbing

  • Established in 1986, the area is known for intense, technical sport routes

• Technical Style

  • Expect "vertical crimp fests," small edges, and pocket pulling on volcanic tuff

• Varied Routes

  • While known for hard sport, there are routes for all levels, including crack climbing and big walls up to 600 feet

• Sandbagged Grades

  • Many routes are considered "sandbagged" (harder than the grade suggests), especially for those under 5.10

  • Older routes often have widely spaced bolts

• mountainproject.com/area/105788989/smith-rock 

• Camping: 

  •  Bivy Area 

    • Walk-in-only campsite at the park (no reservations)

  • Skull Hollow Campground 

    • 9 miles away

  • Tumalo State Park

    • 22 miles away

    • Good for Car Camping 

    • Nice Bathrooms with showers

    • Right next to Bend

• Notable Walls and Areas

  • Morning Glory Wall

    • Popular for moderate to challenging sport climbing

    • Includes 5 Gallon Buckets (5.8)

      • Really fun climb if it isn't swamped

      • There is a 5.9 and 5.10 right next to it!

  • The Dihedrals

    • A major area featuring a mix of grades

  • Monkey Face

    • Iconic spire offering serious, long, multi-pitch routes

  • Rope De Dope Block

    • Highly popular for beginners, with accessible top-roping