Rock climbing in the Wasatch Mountains has a deep history thanks to generations of climbers who pioneered routes on the granite and quartzite in Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons. Every canyon that spills down from the Wasatch into our backyards along the Salt Lake Valley is filled with world-class crags and climbing routes. Pick...
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Black Diamond Equipment is hosting the 1st annual Salt Lake Climbers Alliance Fundraiser. The event will take place on Thursday, May 20th from 6-10pm in the courtyard at Black Diamond headquarters at 2084 East 3900 South in Salt Lake City. The Salt Lake City Climbers Alliance is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving access to...
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The Sport Utility Wall is a large crag just north of Pete’s Rock in the Mount Olympus area. Right next to Wasatch Boulevard and above I-215, it is an urban climbing area with lots of noise but sweeping views of the Salt Lake Valley. Featuring moderate sport climbs, it’s a good place for a...
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Spring is finally here in the Wasatch! While the peaks are still decked out in their winter coat, the canyons (or their sunny sides, at least) are beautiful, warm, and dry. A few weeks ago, I hit up some uber-classic Little Cottonwood trad lines and had a thoroughly fantastic time. With lots of sun...
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The new rock climbing film “Core” will screen at Brewvies on Thursday, April 22. It’s the latest from filmmaker Chuck Fryberger who says it, “exposes the contrast in landscape and lifestyle that defines the sport. A close examination of each character offers perspective beyond just their achievements on the stone.” That’s pretty deep. I...
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Desert towers are just plain cool. You get all the awesomeness that comes from normal rock climbing with the added bonus of topping out on a summit! But climbing in the desert can be pretty darn terrifying. The bolts spin, the rock breaks apart, and the gear falls out. But it doesn’t have to...
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Rock Canyon gets a bad rap, and few non-local climbers climb there. Salt Lake climbers mock this rugged little canyon directly east of Provo as a backward choss pile with bolted cracks all over the place. There is a degree of truth to these accusations: there are a fair amount of chossy routes, and...
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Climbing gyms are social places where crag-heads can gather and test their skills on a variety of routes. From 5.5 ladder-like climbs for first timers, to 5.13 suffer-fests that seem impossible for everyone but the most skilled experts, indoor climbing has something for all ability levels.
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Castleton Tower is a place that is one of the “must climbs” of the country. It's a perfect sandstone tower right out of a Roadrunner cartoon that rises up from the desert floor near Moab. Spring is a good time to go and tackle the tower as mild temperatures keep the climb comfortable, especially...
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The Mule Hollow Wall in Big Cottonwood Canyon is an excellent place for the beginner and intermediate traditional rock-climber who is looking for some multi-pitch experience. The wall itself is huge, rising 500 feet above the pine trees in Mule Hollow Gulch. High-quality quartzite and near-vertical relief is the name of the game here,...
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