Rock on!

[The Feathers, Vantage, WA]

The Feathers were given their name because the basalt pillars “resemble feathers stuck in the ground”. They are located approximately two hours Southeast of Seattle, Washington and are surrounded by desert. Regardless of your skill level there is an ample selection of routes from which to choose. Even though the rocks are located next to the road they are isolated which provides an ideal back drop for a serene and peaceful day of climbing. An added bonus is that there are camping sites – free of charge - next to the Feathers and along the Frenchman Coulee. However, there aren’t any bathroom facilities or running water. Although the pillars are solid basalt there is the occasional flaky hold. During the summer months climbing the south side of the Feathers after 12pm could result in second degree burns as the south wall is completely exposed to the sun. Frenchman Coulee by Marlene Ford & Jim Yoder and Rock Climbing Washington by Jeffrey L. Smoot are excellent resources. Each book maps out the majority of the routes at the Feathers in addition to other routes along the coulee and in Washington State. Supplementary information from other climbers about the routes and area can be found here. More pictures of the Feathers can be viewed here.