BCEP 2026 Team 03: Horsethief Field Session

Activity Notes

Horsethief is the ultimate culmination of all the rock skills you have thus learned in the BCEP class!  This is the weekend to test out all of your rock climbing technical skills in an outdoor rock climbing environment.  We will have multiple climbing stations setup for both belay from the ground, belay from above, and rappelling.  We will have fixed line traverses and frictions slabs for you to try out.  We will also have a fun chimney that combines several technical rock skills into one really fun, long climbing pitch.  We will also set up some more challenging harder routes for those of you who love climbing.  We do highly recommend wearing your alpine boots for the experience, but also please bring along your rock shoes so you can try some of the harder routes.  Later in the afternoon, we will allow you to try other team's routes.  As a head's up, no chalk bags are allowed to better preserve the site.  You will obviously need to bring all of your technical climbing gear and safety gear with you, along with clothing to keep you warm and dry all day.  Please bring snacks or personal lunch.

NOTE: Student start time is 8am ready to hike in (helmets/harnesses on).  Assistant start time is 7am to build the anchors at site A.

As a side note, parking at the trailhead is EXTREMELY limited, and with 3 BCEP teams total climbing on Saturday, we will need to have folks park at the Crawford Oaks trailhead 1/4mi down the road and shuttle back to Horsethief trailhead.

Since this is outdoor climbing in the gorge, it is often windy and cold in the mornings, and the hot and sunny in the afternoon.  Please be prepared for the weather.

Afterwards, we will head out in the evening to car camp at Maryhill Campground together!

You will need a WA Discover Pass which can be purchased onsite for $12/day or buy at REI/Online $55 annual.

Horsethief Area Description

Prospectus

Carpooling Sheet

Potluck Signup