Grand Wall Area  Photos:  Recent | Best | Popular Lat, Long:  49.6822, -123.148 Map Page Views:  80,518. Good page?    Administrators:  Kristine Hoffman, Peter Spindloe, Tom Erickson Submitted By:  Peter Spindloe on Mar 14, 2006 Make this area a Favorite What's New   Print a Mini-Guide with routes Add Route  Add Photo  Add Comment  Add Event

Looking up The Grand Wall.
Photo by Blitzo.

Description 

This is the large expanse of granite on the Squamish Chief that includes the Grand Wall route and its numerous variations. It's west facing allowing morning shade and sometimes severe afternoon sun.

The rock is mostly smooth vertical granite with a few very distinct crack systems.

Getting There 

From the main Chief parking lot off of Highway 99, walk along the paved road that leads to the campground a short distance until you can turn left on the old highway. Walk until you see a trail on the right with a large sign. Take the well marked trail to the base of the wall.

The Grand Wall Area starts partway up the cliff and can be accessed from a number of Grand Wall Base Area routes.

The Usual Way:
Climb Apron Strings (10b, 2p) to Merci Me (5.8, 2p, somewhat runout) and then do a seemingly unnamed 10b traverse right to some bolts below the Split Pillar. Aid up the three bolts to a comfy ledge at the start of the Split Pillar. It's possible to boulder past the bolts on the left at about 5.12-.

The Fastest Way:
As above, but avoid Apron Strings by walking left along the base of the wall until you can work your way up and right on Flake Ledge (including batmanning up a short chain) to the start of Merci Me.

The Most Rewarding Way:
Climb Cruel Shoes (5.10d, 6p, one runout 5.9 pitch) to the base of the Split Pillar.

The Classics

Featured Route For Grand Wall Area

University Wall 5.12-  International : Canada : ... : Grand Wall Area

Could this be the best 'burly' route in Squamish? Steep, physical crack climbing from the word go, with no warm up. Amazing and exposed positions, great protection (on the cruxes), what more could you ask for?p1. The rudest warm up I know of. 12a for about 65'. clip the ancient fixed purple TCU and punch it through some steep easy moves to a ledge. Move into the left facing corner and deal with the usual wetness. Even in the driest, most drought stricken summers, I have NEVER seen this pi...[more]   Browse More Classics in International

Photos of Grand Wall Area Slideshow

Add Photo

The Grand Wall Area. There are several parties in...