
Field trip: Tacoma Explorers
Tacoma Explorers Climbing - Vantage (Frenchman Coulee)
Tacoma Explorers Climbing A weekend in Vantage! Come out for a weekend of rock climbing and hiking in one of Washington's best winter/fall crags!
- Info
- COVID-19: Learn about our most up-to-date guidance for participants and leaders on our COVID-19 Response page. All participants and leaders must agree to the COVID-19 Code of Conduct before participating in this Mountaineers activity.
- Sat, Oct 19, 2019 — Sun, Oct 20, 2019
- Tacoma Youth Programs
- Climbing, Day Hiking
- Rock Climb
- Youth, Families
- Crag Rock Climb
- Casual
- 13 (13 capacity)
- 2 (2 capacity)
- 15 (15 capacity)
- Cancellation & Refund Policy
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
Required Equipment
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.