PNW towns

I may have to move to Klamath Falls or Tacoma. What would it be like to live in either of these places as a climber? Can you get out after work or are you limited to weekend trips? Do many other climbers live in these towns? After short visits to both places I'm assuming the answer to both questions is no. I just wanted to hear from some folks who know the area better than I.

You know what they say about assumptions?... I don't know about klamath falls, but lived in Tacoma for a while. If you climb indoors the bouldering at " Climb tacoma"is great, the route setting there and at edgeworks (roped climbing) super fun sport climbing at the exits (outside north bend) that are perfect for after work summer climbing. There is also index, Leavenworth, tiatin (sp?) and Smith rocks for weekend destinations. Good luck

--Tacoma--

No real options to get out after work except at a gym. But the city is near much high quality climbing, including some of the best alpine climbing in the country. Great skiing as well, both resort and backcountry.

Day trips:
Index - 1.5 hours

Weekend trips (some of these could easily be a long day trip too)
Vantage - 2 to 2.5 hours
Rainier - 1.5 to 2 hours
Tieton - 2.5 hours
Leavenworth - 2.5 hours
Squamish - 4+ hours (border x-ing)
Banks Lake - 4 hours
North Cascades - 2.5 to 3.5 hours

Remember, you have to drive through the Seattle area to get to a bunch of these places, and rush hour can be horrendous, so take that into account. The city itself is pretty cool.

Benjamin Bruce Baker wrote:I may have to move to Klamath Falls or Tacoma. What would it be like to live in either of these places as a climber? Can you get out after work or are you limited to weekend trips? Do many other climbers live in these towns? After short visits to both places I'm assuming the answer to both questions is no. I just wanted to hear from some folks who know the area better than I.

Tacoma isn't bad. The cost of living is reasonable, good bars, tons of dispenseries,and I have met more climbers than you might expect. I can also endorse Climb Tacoma, although both local gyms are great for keeping fit/testing new belayers.

If you're a monomaniacal climber, K-Falls is bleak.

Local crags are pretty bad, Smith is 3ish hours away, and Castle Crags are 2ish hours away. Shasta is nearby, the trout fishing is good, and Crater Lake has awesome skiing.

I lived in Olympia for two years. The locals there have cleaned off dozens of boulders in the surrounding areas, they have a guide book at the one climbing gym in town. There are some smaller crags near mt Rainier, one of them is called fossil rock (also known as choss-il rock).

I went to a newish crag near the town of Mineral. Not very big, but overhanging tufas and mono pockets in sandstone! It might be worth checking out. The guy that found it was pretty pissed off when we showed up, sounds like he thought it was his crag... just go to Index all your problems will be solved for the rest of your life.

BBB what did you end up deciding?

Got a friend who moved to "klamaBama". Lots of meth and redneckery. FWIW