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Elevation: 694 ft
GPS: 46.03662, -118.93495
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 57,369 total · 478/month
Shared By: Kemper Brightman on May 15, 2014 · Updates
Admins: Jon Nelson, Micah Klesick, Zachary Winters

Description Suggest change

Wallula Gap or perhaps more appropriately, "The Loo", is a pair of basalt cliff bands perched above the Columbia River a few hundred meters off the side of Highway 730. The climbs here are short, sometimes chossy and often one-move-wonders. Still, people stop by on the way to or from Portland just to stretch their legs, local college students come out to blow off steam after class or spend a lazy Sunday on the rock and locals stop by to put down a few routes after work.

Currently there are 38 routes on the lower cliff, with possibility for a few more. Theres a mix of trad and sport lines ranging from 5.3 to 5.11. Conveniently, many of the trad lines share anchors with sport climbs, or are accessible from the top. Thus, a rack is not necessary, but can be worth while if you want to mix things up. Inset bolts at the top of the cliff can be used to set up TR's if you have long webbing and don't want to lead. Most routes are between 20 and 35 feet long, so you can leave the 70m rope at home.

The upper cliff hosts about thirty routes from 5.4 to 5.10+ on extremely fractured basalt entablature. There is potential for many more routes on this second cliff but intensive cleaning (understatement) is required. Those willing to make the longer approach and pull thoughtfully are rewarded with 60ft routes high above the Columbia.

Weather

When it comes to weather, the gap is almost always better than walla walla. ItÂ’s not uncommon to leave Walla Walla in the rain or inversion and climb in direct sun at wallula. The west aspect of the cliff makes The Loo a perfect candidate for the sunset session on a clear afternoon. This orientation also means the area remains climbable (for the hardy) throughout the year, summer mornings and winter afternoons are the way to go if you just need to scratch the itch for real rock. The one thing that can really blow your day at wallula is the wind. Anything above 20 mph will make it hard to communicate with your belayer (even though you can practically touch them).

Getting There Suggest change

From Walla Walla, Drive west on HWY. 12 to intersection with HWY. 730. Continue onto HWY. 730 for about two miles untill the road starts heading due south. Pulloff on west side of road between Two Sisters and Walla Walla Yacht Club (Port Kelly). It's an easier hike to the lower cliff if you drive past the first small pullout and park in the next (farther south) pullout which is much bigger. The hike in from the 2nd pullout, which diagonals across the slope rather than going straight up, is slightly longer but causes much less erosion.

Printable Guide

Suggest change

A Printable PDF guide to the lower cliff can be found HERE

*For best results print double sided and staple into a book

71 Total Climbs

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Classic Climbing Routes at Wallula Gap

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b
 17
Jimgermanclimb
Sport
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
 12
Astroknot
Sport
5.7+ 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
 8
Indirect Irregular West Face But…
Trad, TR
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 10
Rump Roast
Sport
5.8+ 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 23
I'm Pro Choss and I Bolt
Sport
5.9- 5c 17 VI 16 HVS 4c
 18
Mafic Wave
Sport
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 21
The Mundercling
Sport
5.10- 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 10
Feelin 22
Trad
5.10- 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 8
Butterflies and Bud Lights
Sport
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b
 19
Taqueria Dreams
Trad
5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b
 15
Loess Without You
Sport
5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b
 12
Wallulove
Sport
5.10+ 6b+ 21 VII+ 20 E3 5b
 24
Red Planet (AKA The Sit Clip)
Sport
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c
 14
The Martini
Sport
5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a
 10
First ImPRESSion
Sport
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Jimgermanclimb Lower Band
 17
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b Sport
Astroknot Lower Band
 12
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b Sport
Indirect Irregular West Fac… Lower Band
 8
5.7+ 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b Trad, TR
Rump Roast Lower Band
 10
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Sport
I'm Pro Choss and I Bolt Lower Band
 23
5.8+ 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Sport
Mafic Wave Lower Band
 18
5.9- 5c 17 VI 16 HVS 4c Sport
The Mundercling Lower Band
 21
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Sport
Feelin 22 Lower Band
 10
5.10- 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Trad
Butterflies and Bud Lights Lower Band
 8
5.10- 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Sport
Taqueria Dreams Lower Band
 19
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b Trad
Loess Without You Lower Band
 15
5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b Sport
Wallulove Lower Band
 12
5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b Sport
Red Planet (AKA The Sit Clip) Lower Band
 24
5.10+ 6b+ 21 VII+ 20 E3 5b Sport
The Martini Lower Band
 14
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c Sport
First ImPRESSion Lower Band
 10
5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a Sport
More Classic Climbs in Wallula Gap »

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