Hi all,
I am going to be living in Metaline Falls, in Pend Oreille County Washington this summeer for an internship, and was wondering if there is any good climbing in the area. I am looking for sport up to ~5.11d and Trad to ~10.b, so moderate stuff mostly. I've heard rumors of a great little limestone sport crag with somemod. to hard stuff right in Metaline Falls, and I guess the North Cascades stuff [Washington Pass, ect..] isn't too far, right? Any beta or suggestions much appreciated! :)
Best Regards,
Phil Persson.

http://www.cascadeclimbers.com/trip-reports/crag/china-bend->>>>>

Phil,

check out china bend. much closer to where you will be than the N. Cascades. Also, check out Idaho and long weekend trips to interior BC.

You need to buy the Marty Bland guidebook for the area. Mt. Gear sells them.

Eastern Washington has some really good sport climbing, and the limestone around Metaline is a good quality.

Phil,

Welcome to Washington...

Washington Rock is on your left as you drive into Metaline Falls, Limestone Sport; it can be hot in mid-summer, also China Bend and Marcus are both about 2 hours west. (The Bend is a little farther/hot mid-summer) Sport/Mix/Trad; 60 mins to Laclede it also faces south, Mountian/Trad; Chimney Rock and The Selkirks are east 2+ hours.(long dirt roads) Washington Pass; is about 5+ hours west... but that's just a guess.

Drop, me a PM.

Hey guys,
Thanks for all the great info!! It is much appreciated for sure. Stoked to be spending my first summer up in the Pacific Northwest. Definitely interested in checking out some of the good limestone sport stuff in Pend Oreille and neighboring counties; it sound's pretty high-quality and challenging. The 'China Bend' Crag you mentioned sound's like a great nearby option as well. I'll be working for Teck Cominco as a geologist at their Pend Oreille Zinc Mine for the summer, so I'll be able gto climb on weekends and the occasional longer trip. Also am looking for partners to do some alpine up in B.C and in the North Cascades, particularily Bugaboo/Snowpatch Spires up in the Bug's and maybe make a trip or two west out to Squamish. Also, how's thed climate in northestern Washington in the summer? Is it pretty cool and rainy or hotter and muggier? You'll have to forgive my ignorance of northwest weather being an Arizonan/Coloradan haha...
Thanks again,
Phil.