ROCK Inland Northwest Rock Climbing

By Dan Webster Marketing Correspondent

For Kristin Wenzel, the draw of rock climbing was – at least initially –community.

“Just (being with) so many like-minded people, getting out in the woods and just playing,” she says.

For Eli Francovich, it’s always been the “physical and mental challenge.”

And Bob Loomis? Well, he estimates he’s been climbing for some 50 years, so it’s become an essential part of his life.

“When I was younger, I just wanted to go climbing,” Loomis says. “I didn’t care because I didn’t know.” These days, he adds, “When I go climbing, I have a specific objective.”

All three are part of the Inland Northwest’s rock-climbing community. Wenzel is president of the Bower Climbing Coalition, a non-profit group “dedicated to maintaining, expanding and preserving Inland Northwest climbing.” Until recently, Francovich was the Spokesman-Review’s outdoors reporter.

And besides being a veteran climber, Loomis is the author of “A Guide to Rock Climbing in the Spokane Area” (which, unfortunately, is out of print).

As all three will admit, dozens of rockclimbing locations can be found within a few hours’ drive of Spokane. And which ones you might want to experience will depend on a couple of factors: your level of experience and what you hope to accomplish.

Wenzel, for instance, has a number of reasons for liking to rock climb. “The longer I do it, “she says, “I just appreciate the versatility of it.”

“Everyone gets into climbing for different reasons,” she says, “For some people, it’s getting out to these very remote areas and doing traditional climbs. … And then you have the folks who want to go to an urban crag and go boulder 10 feet off the ground with their friends on a sunny afternoon.”

If she had a free Saturday and it was sunny, Wenzel would head for the Rocks of Sharon, which are located in the Dishman Hills Conservation Area.

“It’s probably because it’s the most picturesque crag,” she says. “It’s beautiful and pretty easy and I think it has the most beautiful sunset view in all of Spokane.”

For spring climbing, Francovich would choose Big Rock, also in the Rocks of Sharon area (“amazing views, great routes”). In the summer, he says, “I’d go to Post Falls and find a nice, shaded wall.” In the winter, he’d drive west to Vantage and tackle a site called Frenchman Coulee.

The most experienced, Loomis stresses when asked about the “best” climbing areas around Spokane that it all depends on what you mean by “best.”

For example, he says, “If ‘best’ is defined as easy of access, then first place likely goes to Minnehaha, aka John C. Shields County Park – a short drive from downtown Spokane. And within minutes from the parking lot, one is able to be climbing.”

Yet, he adds, “if ‘best’ is described as access to spectacular views,” he echoes both Wenzel and Francovich: Rocks of Sharon. “On a clear day one can see well into the Palouse with open vistas to the south, north and east,” he says.

And if by “best” you mean “access to a wide range of moderate, user-friendly routes, then,” Loomis says, “first place likely goes to the Post Falls city park Q’emiln” (pronounced ka-mee-lin). That is, he says, “if one is looking to just meet up with other climbers and climb an abundance of moderate routes on user-friendly rock.”

Loomis offers up several other cites as well, among them Minnehaha, Frenchman Coulee, the McLellan Conservation Area in Riverside State Park and the indoor venue at Spokane’s Wild Walls Climbing Gym. Another new venue opening this summer is Coeur Climbing, an indoor climbing gym in Post Falls.

So, forget the term “best,” which clearly is relative to personal preference. Instead, go with “favorite,” which might be a better descriptor – just as the various reasons for climbing are in the first place.

SPOKANE/EASTERN WASHINGTON

May 25-28 Moses Lake Spring Festival, includes a parade, concerts, car show, basketball tournament and more. tourmoseslake.com/event/moses-lake-spring-festival-2

May 26-28 Riverdance 25th Anniversary Show, STCU Best of Broadway presents this dance spectacular. www. broadwayspokane.com/

June 2-4 MAC Artfest, Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture. One of the state’s largest spring arts events and Spokane’s largest juried arts event includes visual wonders from 75 regional artists for its 38th year. Artfestspokane.com

June 3 Reardan Mule Days, Reardan. The 119th annual community event features a dance, bbq luncheon, car show, parade, and more. reardanmuledays.com/

June 3-4 The Farm Chicks Vintage and Handmade Fair. This annual event at the Spokane County Fair and Expo Center offers décor ideas and hundreds of vendor booths. thefarmchicks.com/fc-vintage-fair/

June 9-10 Spokane Pride and Rainbow Festival. The largest LGBTQIA+ gathering in Eastern Washington includes a parade and other activities. www.spokanepride.org/

June 10-11 Lilac City Comicon, Spokane. Come and mingle with fans of comics, movies, video games, and pop culture, as well as meeting celebrity guests. www.lilaccitycon.com/

June 16-Aug. 20, Spokane Valley Summer Theatre summer season includes “Grease,” June 16-July 2, “Steve Martin’s Bright Star” July 14-23, and “Escape to Margaritaville” Aug. 4-20. The third-annual SVST Rising Stars, Aug. 12-13, also highlights local talent. www.svsummertheatre.com/

June 17-18 Moses Lake Air Show, Grant County International Airport. Enjoy a variety of aerial exhibitions. tourmoseslake.com/event/moses-lake-air-show/

June 21 Summer Parkways, Spokane. Celebrate the Solstice in the Comstock area. The route will be closed to motorized traffic, encouraging people to come out and walk, bicycle, skate or scoot through the community. summerparkways.com/

June 24-25, Hoopfest. The world’s largest 3-on-3 basketball tournament brings dozens of mini-courts to downtown Spokane plus thousands of players and even more spectators. www.spokanehoopfest.net/

June 27-July 2, “Disney’s Aladdin,” STCU Best of Broadway presents the favorite story of magic and intrigue. www.broadwayspokane.com/

July 4, Independence Day, downtown Spokane. The Spokane Symphony performs at the Lilac Bowl at 9 p.m., followed by fireworks at dusk. The day’s celebration includes food trucks and a market. www.visitspokane.com/events/summerevents/4th-of-july/

July 8, Spokatopia Outdoor Adventure Festival. Come to Camp Sekani Park to demo all sorts of outdoor equipment and learn about local outdoor rec resources. There’s also a variety of competitions including stand-up-paddleboard races. www. spokatopia.com/

July 13-15 Crave!, Spokane Valley. The Inland Northwest’s premier food and drink celebration and the area’s largest culinary event includes all sorts of treats from area chefs. cravenw.com/

July 18-19 Northwest BachFest’s Music in Manito

Afterglow, Manito Park, nwbachfest.com/calendar

Aug. 5 Spokane Scottish Highland Games. Visit the Spokane County Fairgrounds for fun competitions and displays of Scottish heritage, include caber toss, piping, dancing and the classic “Irish vs. Scot” tug of war. www. spokanehighlandgames.net/

Aug. 10 National Lentil Festival, Pullman. Get excited for the humble legume with cooking contests, a fun run, and more. www.lentilfest.com/

Aug. 10-13 Omak Stampede and World Famous Suicide Race, Omak. Whether you’re a spectator or a participant, there’s always something exciting to see. The 89th event includes a carnival, rodeo, art show and more. omakstampede. org

Aug. 12 Unity in the Community, Spokane. Celebrate 29 years of educating and entertaining the community by promoting cultural awareness and diversity. This year’s event also includes a backpack/school supply drive. www.nwunity. org/

Aug. 30-Sept. 4 Pig Out in the Park. Riverfront Park is home to this Labor Day tradition that features all sorts food and live music from across the region. Pigoutinthepark.com

Sept. 8-17 Spokane County Interstate Fair. Enjoy this annual gathering of food, music, rides and good times. Spokanecounty.org

Sept. 19-24 “TINA: The Tina Turner Musical,” STCU Best of Broadway presents this look at an iconic musical diva. Broadwayspokane.com

Sept. 23-24 ValleyFest. The community’s annual celebration includes a parade and general festival. valleyfest.org/

Sept. 24 Northwest BachFest Catalyst String Quartet, Barrister Winery, nwbachfest.com/calendar

North Idaho

June 15-18 Gyro Days Lead Creek Derby, Wallace. This traditional community event involves cheering on a big ball floating down the river and general celebrating. www. wallaceid.fun/wallace-events/gyro-days-2/

June 16-17 Car d’Lane Classic Car Weekend, Coeur d’Alene. Celebrate the area’s car culture and legacy with a two-day event that features a cruise along Sherman Avenue, a show and shine, and a swap meet. cdadowntown. com/cda-events/car-dlane-classic-car-weekend/

June 17 Kegs and Kickstands, Kellogg. Bike through the Silver Valley while taking breaks at local restaurants and breweries. www.silvervalleychamber.com/newpage1a6e6caf

June 24 Pig in the Park, Harrison. Restaurants and food vendors will bring out tasty fare. www.cityofharrisonid.com/ see-harrisons-events

June 29 Silver Valley Jeep Jamboree, Wallace. The 22nd annual gathering of Jeep owners includes rides around Idaho and Montana. www.wallaceid.fun/wallace-events/silvervalley-jeep-jamboree-22nd-annual/

June 30-Aug. 20 Coeur d’Alene Summer Theatre. The annual showcase of local and national stage talent includes “The Sound of Music” June 30-July 9, “Footloose” July 2130 and “Pride and Prejudice: A New Musical” Aug. 11-20. cstidaho.com/