FM101: Field Session 1 (Belay)

Activity Notes

This is our first field session where we will review knots, practice climbing on real rock!, and belay at Horsethief Butte. HTB is an incredibly beautiful natural area located in the Gorge (within Columbia Hills State Park), near The Dalles, Oregon, just 1 1/2 hours away from Portland. This trailhead offers a short hike to sweeping views of the Columbia River and Mount Hood on the plateau around the base. Rock climbers are attracted to the sheer cliff faces of the butte  but hikers and scramblers will find a marked route to the summit.<br> <br> Wildlflowers bloom around the base of Horsethief Butte in the spring, including grass widows, death camas and the pungent smell of Klickitat desert parsley. Swallows dart overhead, while larger birds of prey -- like eagles and falcons -- soar on air currents high above your head for wildlife viewing. Turkey vultures float on the thermals rising from the sun-heated rocks. Listen for the songs of canyon wrens and rock wrens from the cliffs. Beware of poison oak and rattlesnakes, and the basalt cliffs can become blazing hot under the summer sun, so spring is the best time to visit.<br> <br> The short hike is a great option for families looking for a way to spend a summer afternoon, a nice leg stretch on a long road trip, or a way to further explore all the Columbia River Gorge has to offer. Although older hiking guides in print and online may provide directions to hike all the way around the base of Horsethief Butte, State Parks has closed those route with fences and signs.  In pre-settler times, this site was a big trading emporium on the Narrows of the Columbia River and holds special significance for the Chinook, Warm Springs, Yakima, Umatilla, and Nez Perce. (Because of The Dalles Dam, which was completed in 1957, the river is now four times wider than it used to be.) Climbing at Horsethief Butte is a favorite of students and assistants alike. We climb on Saturday and Sunday. We suggest camping Saturday night at nearby Maryville Campground, where we have reservations. We typically have a potluck Saturday evening at 5:30 pm- this is a tradition, typically put on by students to appreciate the volunteers running this event. Camping Friday night is optional (we have sites reserved that night also). This activity offers a lot of learning and excellent experience with climbing outdoors. It also allows us to get to know one another and build camaraderie.