Vantage: Difference between revisions
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== Introduction == | == Introduction == | ||
Ever climbed on columnar basalts? Really interesting rock that is very similar to a gym. The rock can be very chossy, so make sure that you wear a helmet. A guide book is impossible to buy until spring 2007 (I bought the last one). The VOC club has one in their library that can be borrowed. There is a camp ground with toilets, but no water. You need a parking permit for this area. However, climbing and camping is free. | Ever climbed on columnar basalts? Really interesting rock that is very similar to a gym. The rock can be very chossy, so make sure that you wear a helmet. A wide selection of sport and trad routes are available. A guide book is impossible to buy until spring 2007 (I bought the last one). The VOC club has one in their library that can be borrowed. There is a camp ground with toilets, but no water. You need a parking permit for this area. However, climbing and camping is free. | ||
September through November and March to early June are not a bad time too visit. The summer months are usually brutally hot. There is swimming in the Columbia river if you keep following the access road. Vantage is super dry, so is a good alternative to Squamish when it's raining again in the lower mainland. | |||
[[Image:Direction_Vantage.JPG|400px|right|thumb|Directions from Vancouver to Vantage, WA]] | [[Image:Direction_Vantage.JPG|400px|right|thumb|Directions from Vancouver to Vantage, WA]] | ||
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There is free camping on the southwest side of the Feathers. There are two porta-potties. No running water. There are also paid campgrounds in Vantage with water and showers if that's your thing. | There is free camping on the southwest side of the Feathers. There are two porta-potties. No running water. There are also paid campgrounds in Vantage with water and showers if that's your thing. | ||
== Climbing == | == Climbing == | ||
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== What to bring == | == What to bring == | ||
*Bring American money and a passport. You will get hosed on the exchange rate if you try and use a debit card. Bring your climbing gear, camping gear (reasonably warm), and a guide book (at least a photo copy). | * Bring American money and a passport. You will get hosed on the exchange rate if you try and use a debit card. | ||
* Bring your climbing gear, camping gear (reasonably warm), and a guide book (at least a photo copy). | |||
* Lots of water (desert area) | * Lots of water (desert area) | ||
* Helmets; the Frenchman Coulee is a notorious area for fatalities of climbers. Belayers must also wear them for the amount of loose rocks is extensive | * Helmets; the Frenchman Coulee is a notorious area for fatalities of climbers. Belayers must also wear them for the amount of loose rocks is extensive | ||
Revision as of 22:10, 23 May 2007
Introduction
Ever climbed on columnar basalts? Really interesting rock that is very similar to a gym. The rock can be very chossy, so make sure that you wear a helmet. A wide selection of sport and trad routes are available. A guide book is impossible to buy until spring 2007 (I bought the last one). The VOC club has one in their library that can be borrowed. There is a camp ground with toilets, but no water. You need a parking permit for this area. However, climbing and camping is free.
September through November and March to early June are not a bad time too visit. The summer months are usually brutally hot. There is swimming in the Columbia river if you keep following the access road. Vantage is super dry, so is a good alternative to Squamish when it's raining again in the lower mainland.
Parking permit
The climbing area is located in state-owned lands, which are administered by the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife. A vehicle access permit is required for parking, and costs US$12 a year. You're supposed to have this permit whether you're camping overnight or just parked there for the day. In contrary to what the guidebook says, this permit can no longer be bought at the Colonial Market in George. Other addresses where you can purchase these permits are (see Online listing of dealers):
- Bi-Mart, 608 E Mountain View, Ellensburg, WA, 98926
- Fred Meyer, 201 Swater St, Ellensburg, WA, 98926
- Texaco, 1352 Basin SW, Ephrata, WA, 98823
- Wal-Mart, 1399 SE Boulevard, Ephrata, WA, 98823
Camping
There is free camping on the southwest side of the Feathers. There are two porta-potties. No running water. There are also paid campgrounds in Vantage with water and showers if that's your thing.
Climbing
What to bring
- Bring American money and a passport. You will get hosed on the exchange rate if you try and use a debit card.
- Bring your climbing gear, camping gear (reasonably warm), and a guide book (at least a photo copy).
- Lots of water (desert area)
- Helmets; the Frenchman Coulee is a notorious area for fatalities of climbers. Belayers must also wear them for the amount of loose rocks is extensive
- Gas money, since drivers pay none of it