Lower Cathedral Rock

Lower Cathedral (right) and Middle Cathedral, as v...

Description 

This huge 600 foot high crag is often forgotten in the shadow of its even larger brothers: Middle and Higher Cathedral. Nevertheless, it contains several worthwhile routes, and in fact if this crag were in Florida there would be books written about it. Beggar's Buttress is Hans Florine's favorite climb (see the book "Fifty Favorite Climbs" by Mark Kroese). At a slightly easier grade, the East Buttress is worth doing. Overhang Bypass is an amazing 5.7 route with lots of history but a rather involved approach.

A dark, forbidding slot "the Gunsight" separates Lower Cathedral and Middle Cathedral. This serves as a descent route from the summit, involving a few rappels normally.

Getting There 

Approaches are short, as this crag is only a few minutes from the road. Overhang Bypass is an exception.

The Classics