Syncline Wall (aka Wankers Columns) offers steep columnar crack climbing opportunities during the Fall, Winter, or Spring season (November through March), especially when the west side of the state is too rainy. The columns have a southwesterly facing orientation which takes advantage of the sunshine on wintery days. Most of the rock climbs can be set up for top-roping; some routes are leadable, and the easiest climb is a stout 5.7. This syncline area overlooking the Columbia River is a scenic region to visit whether you are rock climbing, biking or hiking.
Certain rock climbs start easy and then steepen to roughly 80˚. In some cases, the routes start surprisingly easy on the lower half only to end ridiculously thin (5.11+) on the upper half. The basalt bluff has a right leaning two-directional tilt with slightly weathered cracks.
Services: The nearest gas station is to the west in Bingen, WA, or eastward in The Dalles, Oregon.
Amenities: Drive west to the small community of Bingen/White Salmon to attain some of your goods. Or better, drive to The Dalles (they have it all), from grocery stores, restaurants, fast-food eateries, and a few evening bars.
Camping and Lodging: Columbia Hills State Park (Horsethief Lake) is a popular fee camping site. Spearfish lake area (just north of the dam) has unimproved camping viability. Lodging is available at The Dalles, Bingen/White Salmon, or in Hood River. You can find some minor roadside free camping options by travelling up one of the minor roads away from the Gorge.
Administration: This site is located in a popular mixed use area (hiking, biking, climbing), where certain portions of the terrain is privately owned and other portions are managed by the U.S Forest Service.
Seasonal Factors: Available for rock climbing 12-months of the year, but it is better to hit the crag in the Fall-Winter-Spring seasons. This is a low elevation site, with a west-facing orientation.
Road access conditions: State Route 14 is paved, and nearby roadside parking is adequate at either Rowland Lake or Locke Lake.
Additional Notes: The site has some poison oak (in summer) along the base of the wall. The site has ticks in the Spring season, and the rock talus slope below the crag may have rattlesnakes.