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Sport climbing in winter at Tahoe?

Original Post
Kalvin Hom · · San Francisco, CA · Joined Apr 2013 · Points: 35

Hi all,
I'm planning to be in South Lake Tahoe in two weeks, but would prefer to climb rather than snowboard/ski. Are there good, accessible sport climbing areas during the winter? Most of what I could find seemed to be trad.

Thanks!

Dr. Long Arm · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2013 · Points: 15

The 90 foot wall near Emerald Bay is a good spot with sport routes, most of which can be top roped. There's probably snow on the ground now but on a warm day it's probably good to climb.

Paul Zander · · Bern, CH · Joined Oct 2012 · Points: 739

90 foot wall has no sport routes, but is a good place for toproping in the 5.7-5.11 range Nearby mayhem cove is a great sport crag. I'd think that it would be a bit wet right now, but could be wrong.

Woodfords and Sugarloaf are your best bet in the winter. They're mainly trad, but have enough sport climbing to keep you occupied for a day or two at least.

Ney Grant · · Pollock Pines, CA · Joined Feb 2014 · Points: 1,375

Pieshop near the South Lake Tahoe airport is south facing and can be climbed in the winter after a week of dry weather. You may have to approach in the snow. Its mainly trad though.

Tyler Alves · · Santa Barbara, Ca · Joined Dec 2009 · Points: 15

Sugarloaf is a blast for face sport climbing; I mention "face" because this is not gym-style sport climbing, its wall-in-your-face-crystal-pinchin'-foot-smearing tech climbing. Mayhem Cove is pretty drippy but has some dry routes.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Northern California
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