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Surprising Crag
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Surprising Crag

Submitted By: Ron Olsen on Mar 31, 2006
Administrators: Ben Mottinger, Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monomaniac
Elevation: 8,000 feet
Latitude: 39.9730  Longitude: -105.4634 
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Climber on Surprising Crag, enjoying the view.


Description 

Surprising Crag is the most popular area at the Sport Park. The South Face has many moderate, well-bolted sport routes and sees crowds of climbers; this is the place to hang out and socialize. The West Face has challenging sport and trad routes, and sees much less traffic.


Getting There 

From the aqueduct trail, take a left. The first crag you'll see is Owl Prow. Head uphill around the right side of Owl Prow and you'll get to the South Face of Surprising Crag near the route Monkey Bob.


The Classics

Mountain Project's determination of some of the classic, most popular, highest rated routes for Surprising Crag:
The Other One   5.11a     Sport, 1 pitch   West Face
Killer Fish Taco   5.11b     Sport, 1 pitch   South Face
Furious Howard Brown   5.12a     Sport   West Face
American Beauty   5.12c     Sport, 1 pitch, 70 feet   West Face
Browse More Classics in Surprising Crag

Photos of Surprising Crag Slideshow Add Photo
Routes on the left side of the south face of Surprising Crag.  Choss Temple Pilots shares the first two bolts with Killer Fish Taco, then branches left.<br /><br />The Fix tackles the overhang to the right.

BETA PHOTO: Routes on the left side of the south face of Surpr...

The west-facing wall on the South Face of Surprising Crag.<br /><br />Routes are right of The Fix and left of Monkey Bob.<br /><br />Vitamin V is the second route from the left.  The first bolt is up quite high; you can clip the first bolt on Wavy Gravy with a long runner if you want.

BETA PHOTO: The west-facing wall on the South Face of Surprisi...

A typical day at the crag...

A typical day at the crag...


Comments on Surprising Crag Add Comment
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By joshf
From: missoula, mt
Mar 10, 2008

I'm a little confused about the bolted cracks here. Is the rock soft or is there just a lax ethic at this area? From the pictures, it seems as though there are a lot of lines that are at least partially proctectable with gear, yet there are bolts everywhere. If anyone wants to clue me in, go for it....

By Chris Cavallaro
Mar 11, 2008

Must be a troll....

By Alex A
From: Bailey, CO
May 16, 2009

I think it's SB as well, to bolt a crack. Sorry, but they're morons, to bring crack climbs to down to the sport climber's level. Have some balls and learn how to place gear. In a lot of places these would be chopped, along with the heads you the bolters. Bolts are fine wgere there is no pro.

By Michael Crouch
From: Boulder, co
Sep 1, 2009

Anyone find some Miuras here on August 30th (Sunday). It would be much appreciated if I could get those back!! Please email me at mikeycrouch@gmail.com.

By Rob Davies UK
From: Cheshire, UK
Oct 28, 2009

The grades here seem very soft compared to the rest of the Canyon. Presumably bolted for the convenience of visiting climbers who can't climb cracks.