Tacoma Explorers Climbing - Vantage (Frenchman Coulee)

Vantage Weekend!

Come out for a weekend of climbing on basalt towers in one of the nicest winter crags in Washington. We'll be car camping for this trip, and families will need to make sure they've got plenty of water, ice and coolers for this trip! 

Driving directions:  Frenchman Coulee is located one mile off of I-90, take the Silica Road exit (#143). On Silica Road, turn left On Vantage Highway. Parking area is about one mile down the road on the left near a pit toilet. About 2.5 hour drive from Tacoma.

Discover pass is required to park at Vantage.

Camping: Camping is free in the area around the Feathers (main climbing area closest to the parking lot, but the road is rough and sites are primitive. There is no running water or amenities, other than the pit toilet. High clearance vehicles can drive up the rough road to camping areas, other vehicles may stay parked in the parking lot. We’ll need to bring in our own water, cook stoves/fuel, and firewood if desired.

Gear!

Personal gear: Camping stuff; tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, toilet paper/hand sanitizer, camp chair, meals (Sat. lunch, Sat. dinner potluck contribution, Sun. breakfast, Sun lunch) change of warm clothes, flashlight, first aid kit, sunscreen, water bottles, hiking/athletic shoes for hiking to the crag

Climbing stuff: Harness, helmet, belay device, large locking carabiner, rock shoes or boots, belay gloves, at least 2 locking carabiners, personal anchor, auto block, and any other rock gear you own (quickdraws, etc) THIS CAN ALL BE BORROWED FROM THE MOUNTAINEERS. Please don’t feel like you need to rush out and buy it.

If there is ANYTHING you don’t have yet and need me to bring, I am happy to do so. Just give me a few days notice so I can  get it corralled at the mountaineers in Tacoma or let Sarah know if something needs to be snagged from Seattle program center. 

General Schedule

Sat

10:00am - Arrive at the Feathers parking lot, claim a camp area, set up tents

11am - Climbing

5pm - head back to camp

6pm - start dinner, eat, campfire, relax

10pm - bedtime

Sun

7am - Wake up, breakfast

8:30am pack up camp, pack for hiking

9am - hiking (or climbing if the group so decides)

1:30, 2pm - head back to camp

2:30pm - pack up and head home

6-7pm - expected return to Tacoma

Optional stop for food somewhere along the way back. Bring a few $ if you’d like to get something.

Take your indoor climbing skills outside