Outdoor and indoor Yakima,WA

In my current search for jobs, one potential job is in Yakima, WA.( and of course climbing is a factor)

Can anyone enlighten me about climbing near or in Yakima?
(Preferably outdoor)
The type/quality of rock, length of seasons, typical weather, etc.

Most of my experience is based off of the Gunks and all of CT trad.
Thanks

Do it! Washington state is the best!

The tieton river crags are right outside of town. Not as good as the gunks, but most likely better than all roped climbing in Ct. combined.

Tieton is nearby, great trad and sport climbing. Yakima gets all four seasons, so idk how much winter climbing your gonna get in!
Vantage is to the North East great basalt climbing with hundreds of sport and trad. Leavenworth to the north and Index and the Exits on the West side. You should have plenty of options. There is also an indoor climbing gym in Ellensburg at the college.

Yakima has a high crime issue with a lot of migrant workers and Hispanic gangs. Choose where you live there carefully.

Tieton...mmmm!

Hi Liz,

I actually live and recreate around Yakima. As mentioned the Tieton is 20 minutes from town and offers great single pitch trad and sport climbing on andesite and basalt at about 15 different crags of various aspects/elevations. Vantage (basalt) the winter crag is about an hour away. Leavenworth (granite)is 1.5 hours and has very good bouldering/alpine as well a few classic multi pitch lines. Index (granite) and smith (welded tuff) are about 3 hours. Washington Pass (granite)and the north cascades are 3.5 hours. You can climb nearly year round at the places described above. There is also limestone and gneiss hidden around the state. So basically many life times worth of outside climbing. Yakima is a arid region east of the cascades that does get all four seasons. Indoors there is one very nice private facility in Yakima and a larger public wall at the university in eburg. Good skiing at white pass is a little less than an hour and mt Rainer is just slightly past that. Other than that world class fly fishing in the Yakima River and a lot of Ag, which as mentioned brings associated laborers. Most are super nice folks that bring a fun cultural influence. Crime is comparable to most other cities, but definitely do your research on areas of town of you make the move, good luck.

Hi Liz, I actually live and recreate around
Yakima. As mentioned the Tieton is 20 minutes from town and offers great single pitch trad and sport climbing on andesite and basalt at about 15 different crags of various aspects/elevations. Vantage (basalt) the winter crag is about an hour away. Leavenworth (granite)is 1.5 hours and has very good bouldering/alpine as well a few classic multi pitch lines. Index (granite) and smith (welded tuff) are about 3 hours. Washington Pass (granite)and the north cascades are 3.5 hours. You can climb nearly year round at the places described above. There is also limestone and gneiss hidden around the state. So basically many life times worth of outside climbing. Yakima is a arid region east of the cascades that does get all four seasons. Indoors there is one very nice private facility in Yakima and a larger public wall at the university in eburg. Good skiing at white pass is a little less than an hour and mt Rainer is just slightly past that. Other than that world class fly fishing in the Yakima River and a lot of Ag, which as mentioned brings associated laborers. Most are super nice folks that bring a fun cultural influence. Crime is comparable to most other cities, but definitely do your research on areas of town of you make the move, good luck.

I decided to to take the job in Yakima! I'll be moving out there at the end of February. My research suggest West Valley Neighborhooh in Yakima and Terrace Heights I read mixed information. I've been looking in Selah as well. I will definitely be needing climbing partners!

Pete Spri wrote:Yakima has a high crime issue with a lot of migrant workers and Hispanic gangs. Choose where you live there carefully. Tieton...mmmm!

You forgot to mention that they're rapists and murderers too.

Jesus.

Trump is alive and well.

If you're looking for partners, I'd suggest getting on the Tieton Rock Climbers Facebook page. Lots of motivated locals putting up new lines in the Tieton and everyone is really friendly!

I've done my research! I lived in New Haven, CT for 3 years. I was lucky I was only mugged at gunpoint once! Thanks for the FB page!

Jplotz wrote: You forgot to mention that they're rapists and murderers too. Jesus. Trump is alive and well.

Over-react much? There are some places in Yakima that are not same compared to others for above stated problems. I could explain more, but it is doubtful that you are from eastern washington or are even familiar with the types of issues faced here.

If I was moving to Yakima from across the country, I would find it helpful to know the issues where I would be living.

Suggest you ground yourself in the real world with some objectivity. By the way, I'm registered Democrat.

I've lived in Wenatchee for the past 19 years, so I'm well aware of the demographics and politics of Eastern WA.

I just re-read Liz's original post, asking about the CLIMBING in the Yakima area, not if there were scary Mexicans living there. If you feel threatened by your local Hispanics, perhaps Yakima is not the place for you. Last I understood, Yakima relies quite heavily on them.

Registered Democrat. Thanks for the chuckle.

Jplotz wrote:I've lived in Wenatchee for the past 19 years, so I'm well aware of the demographics and politics of Eastern WA. I just re-read Liz's original post, asking about the CLIMBING in the Yakima area, not if there were scary Mexicans living there. If you feel threatened by your local Hispanics, perhaps Yakima is not the place for you. Last I understood, Yakima relies quite heavily on them. Registered Democrat. Thanks for the chuckle.

Exactly, they do indeed. Not sure why you are trying to turn this into a racial fight she it isn't. Being aware of factions within city sure is. But if creating a fight n your head is your thing then by all means go for it. I'll let you continue on with your name calling, finger pointing, and whatever else floats your boat. People like you are the epitome of irony to me, especially reading your last two posts.

Anyway, back to climbing. Don't forget about GOOSE EGG ROCK!

Ok that is enough hyping the Tieton on the interweb, we don't need the secrets getting out. I love how every thread has to have some conflict John is a super nice guy BTW and I am sure you are as well Pete, lets go climb and have some fun, we can deal with gangsta's later.

Sorry for derailing the thread! Yes, she made a great choice. Tieton rules!

kevino wrote:Anyway, back to climbing. Don't forget about GOOSE EGG ROCK!

When climbing slab I don't always feel the nubbin I'm standing on flex out from the wall, but when I do I'm thankful the bolts are generous :)

Sam Sluys wrote:Ok that is enough hyping the Tieton on the interweb, we don't need the secrets getting out. I love how every thread has to have some conflict John is a super nice guy BTW and I am sure you are as well Pete, lets go climb and have some fun, we can deal with gangsta's later.

Heh, true that. I was trying to let some gal moving from across the country know of a local issue so she doesnt move into the wrong part of town and "Wham!" get called a racist because I mentioned what race the gang is! Such is life, maybe just interweb misunderstanding of my tone. Time to forgive, forget, and move on.

Anyhow, as much as I love mountainproject, some things in Eastern Washington are just better not to post; so I dont! Plenty here for a lifetime. Mountainproject already has most of the best, big areas, anyway.

It's okay, I have lived in or near some of the top murder capitals of America.

I begin looking at the mentioned areas. So far aside from rain Yakima is having better weather than the east coast!

I have finally arrived. Unfortunately between packing and driving I had little time to do research.

This Sunday 3/6/16 I'm free to climb and Fridays and Saturdays after that are my days off from work.
I have a rack of gear just no rope since mine was old and beat.
Direct email me if you want to climb.

Thanks again for everyone's input!
-Liz