Name of area: Two Sisters
ACCESS ALERT !!!! - As of early March, 2001 Two Sisters has been posted as closed to rock climbing. This action was presumably taken by the Walla Walla county commissioners to quiet the complaints of the survivalist weirdo that lives in the canyon behind the Sisters. He has stated that he would do everything possible to stir up the commissioners fears about potential lawsuits in order to get the area closed. If you would ever like to climb at the Two Sisters again, I urge you to contact the commissioners at 527-3200 and complain about the closure.
Update (2003) - Two Sisters is still closed even though a new Washington State law prevents the county from being sued over a climbing accident. The county was going to re-open the rocks to climbing but decided to check with the Umatilla Tribe before doing so. Of course the tribe said "all cliffs along the Columbia are sacred - it's one big burial ground, so no climbing". The county then had the option of keeping the ban in place and pissing off about 100 climbers or opening the rocks to climbing and pissing off the whole Umatilla Nation. What do you think they decided? The ironic thing about the whole mess is that climbers and birders banded together in the early 80's to convince the county to purchase the land so it wouldn't be sold by the corps to a private party. In other words, if the climbers hadn't worked to get it saved back then, a private individual would own it now and the Indians wouldn't have any say at all!!
Where: Wallula Gap, Washington
How do I get there from Walla Walla?: Drive west on HWY. 12 to intersection with HWY. 730. Head south on HWY. 730 for about one mile. Pulloff on east side of road.
How long of a drive is it? 40 minutes
What's there?: Short (20') basalt columns suitable for top-roping. A few have been bolted. Top ropes can be rigged from a large cable that has been wrapped around the upper portion of the rock, bring long runners or an extra rope for the anchor.
Pros: It's close. It's real rock.
Cons: It's very short. It's often very windy. Too hot from late spring to late summer.
Comments: Good place to take a gym climber to give them their first taste of real rock without having to drive too far.