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where to find WA guidebooks, esp. Vantage and Exit 38

Original Post
Sergey Shelukhin · · Seattle, WA · Joined Mar 2014 · Points: 14

I just moved back to Seattle area and so far couldn't find guidebooks anywhere except the one for Leavenworth (Kramar) I recently saw at Stone Gardens.

Are there good places to get guidebooks for areas in the state, esp. Vantage and Exit 38? If someone is looking to sell I will buy too.

Most stores do have WA weekend rock and the other all-of-WA guidebook...
Do you think these are worth it?
I checked out the pages for Exit 38 and Leavenworth, where we went without a book before, and they didn't look that great - routes were missing and the information was rather scarce (compared to Kramar book and others I have for CA).

Marlin Thorman · · Spokane, WA · Joined Oct 2011 · Points: 2,415

Check local climbing shops or online retailers for the following guidebooks. You can always call climbing shops or book stores in some of the towns as well (Leavenworth, Mazama, etc).

Vantage - "Frenchman Coulee" by Marlene Ford and Jim Yoder
WA Pass - "Washington Pass Climbing" by Ian Nicholson
Leavenworth - "Leavenworth Rock" by Viktor Kramar
Cascades - "Selected Climbs in the Cascades" Volume I and II (enough to get you started on all the classics)

I can't comment on Exit 38 climbing as I live in Spokane and don't climb there. I have the "Rock Climbing Washington" by Jeff Smoot. It is alright as a supplemental guidebook although it lacks a lot of the climbs at certain locations. If you are planning to spend a lot of time at a particular crag then definitely buy a more specific guidebook. However if you are just passing through a crag once or twice then the Rock Climbing WA guide will be great.

sqwirll · · Las Vegas · Joined Mar 2006 · Points: 1,360

I'd check the Mountaineers bookstore. They seem to have books that are out of stock elsewhere.

cnadel · · San Francisco, CA · Joined Feb 2013 · Points: 5

Also stone gardens, second ascent, and Seattle bouldering project have pretty solid guide selections. The exit 38 guide is available at the Seattle REI.

Ashort · · Las Vegas, NV · Joined Apr 2014 · Points: 56

FYI there is supposed to be a new guidebook coming out for the I-90 corridor (which includes exits 32/38). Also I have heard a new leavenworth book is in the works. Not sure when these will be released, but might be worth waiting?

Edit: Looks like December 2015 for "Snoqualmie Rock" snovalleystar.com/2015/07/0…

The "current" exit 38 book is the worst guidebook I have ever laid eyes on.

Adam C Houghton · · Seattle · Joined Jan 2015 · Points: 0

I've used the following awesome little guide for Vantage. Most people refer to it as "The Binder" haha. Haven't been able to find a copy of the full guidebook.

justgetout.net/ClientFiles/…

mediocre · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jul 2013 · Points: 0

Everyone has hit all the places to find the book. But jesus, 3 gyms in seattle and you go to the worst one. SBP is a better gym and it doesn't even have any ropes. Get yourself to Vertical World an they'll also point you in the right direction even if they don't have a copy for sale.

TaylorLutz · · Seattle · Joined Jul 2014 · Points: 65

theres a 38 guide on the phone app Rakkup
the garth bruce 38 guide is sometimes at SBC

for an alternative to vantage and the guide previously mentioned look at central washington rock by rick la belle which shows up every now and then at various REIs and SBC

C J · · Denver, CO · Joined Jun 2014 · Points: 617

Sorry to revive such an old post, but I have a copy of the 2nd edition of the vantage guide that I am trying to get rid of! pm me if interested!

Stanley Baker · · Seattle, WA · Joined May 2013 · Points: 50

Did this guidebook (Snoqualmie) ever get published? I've done some google searches and haven't found anything about it anywhere.

Sergey Shelukhin · · Seattle, WA · Joined Mar 2014 · Points: 14

Last time we were around there, the finishing touches were still in progress for it. We were able to look at the current version at the store in North Bend on the way and take pictures of the area were were heading to.

Stanley Baker · · Seattle, WA · Joined May 2013 · Points: 50

Which store are you talking about?

Tobin Story · · Woodinville, WA · Joined Feb 2010 · Points: 35

I'm guessing he's talking about Pro Ski and Guiding in North Bend, since the author of the supposedly upcoming Guidebook is a guide for them.

Amanda Piro · · Unknown Hometown · Joined May 2017 · Points: 0

Sorry to revive this post so much later, but if anyone has a copy of the Frenchman Coulee book by Ford and Yoder that they'd like to sell, please PM me!

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Pacific Northwest
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