Ozone Wall in the Columbia Gorge
at Mt Pleasant - Portland's latest popular addition
The Ozone Wall is one of the hottest new crags near Portland, and for good reason. Sporting a diverse selection of nearly 70 climbing routes ranging in difficulty from 5.6 to 5.12+ this fine crag is definitely worth the visit, especially to power your way up one of the steep arete climbs. There are numerous mixed natural/bolt protected climbs, including corner crack climbs that will certainly appeal to everyone.
The Ozone Wall is easily accessible by a very short trail hike from the roadside. All the climbs are lead routes which limits the opportunity for use as a beginner's crag for setting up top-rope climbing. The rock is composed of a steep layer of densely compact dark colored basalt with vertically aligned somewhat columnar crack systems. The steep and slightly rounded arete face routes are highly appealing to lead climb for the well disciplined 5.10/5.11 climber. Most of the belay anchors are 90' (30m) high or less. The overall height of the Ozone Wall cliff scarp is about 120' tall near the central portion of the main wall.
Several local climbing associates who developed the Ozone Wall have written a guidebook with concise route beta and history of rock climbing development at the cliff. Their limited edition guidebook is dedicated to their courageous friend and fellow Ozone developer Kevin Rauch who has Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), often referred to as "Lou Gehrig's disease." Proceeds from their limited edition book are donated to the Rauch family.
The crag is located on land owned and administered by the State of Washington and the U.S. government. The main concern at present is continued viable roadside parking next to a busy highway. The popularity of this crag may necessitate a better parking arrangement if visitors continue to enjoy the crag in the years ahead.
To visit
the crag, drive east from Vancouver,
Washington on State 14 from I-205 on
the north side of the Columbia
River. The crag is slightly west of
the high point in the road at mile
post 23.7 and is on the south side
of the highway (about 1/3 mile east
of Belle Center Road). Park on a
wide section of paved shoulder
[third pullout west of the road high
point] to access a narrow dirt trail
that angles down eastward under the
bluff.
As you follow the narrow climbers
trail from the roadside parking area
the trail gradually descends into a
thick forest of fir trees. The
initial steep cliff section at the
far west end of the entire Ozone
Wall is about 40' in height, but
quickly becomes taller as you
continue to descend to the trail
down to the central portion of the
crag.