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Podium Spire Rock Climbing

Climbing Area Map

Routes in Podium Spire

Merrill/Poulson T 5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a

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Elevation:	5,006 ft
GPS:	38.64812, -109.46721 Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views:	2,839 total · 26/month
Shared By:	jakobi on Jun 22, 2015
Admins:	slim, Andrew Gram, Nathan Fisher, Perin Blanchard, GRK, D C Page Updates (admin only)

See Weather Forecast

Access Issue: RAIN, WET ROCK and RAPTOR CLOSURES: The sandstone around Moab is fragile and is very easily damaged when it is wet. Also please ask and be aware of Raptor Closures in areas such as CAT WALL and RESERVOIR WALL in Indian Creek Details

WET ROCK: Holds rip off and climbs have been and will continue to be permanently damaged due to climbers not respecting this phenomenon. After a heavy storm the rock will remain wet, sometimes for several days. PLEASE DO NOT CLIMB IN MOAB during or after rain.

RAPTOR CLOSURES: please be aware of seasonal raptor closures. They occur annually in the spring.

Description

Podium Spire is an obscure yet fairly proud tower tucked back in the short canyon that wraps behind Big Bend Butte, Lighthouse and Dolomite Towers. Eric Bjornstadt gave it a brief mention in Desert Rock III but I didn't get the sense that it's been climbed a lot in the 45 years since the first ascent. The approach takes about as long as it does to ascend the tower which probably contributes to why no one climbs it, but if you're looking for a nice summit at a pretty reasonable grade it's worth the effort.

Getting There

Park at the group site across the road from Big Bend campground and hike up the canyon. There was a decent trail that was well cairned for most of the way when we did it but for the most part you'll just be hiking up the wash anyway. After a while the trail fades out and the wash gets chocked with large boulders and the going gets a bit tougher but soon the tower will come into view on the left; follow the path of least resistance up the talus to the base of the spire. There's no trail so don't worry if it feels loose and a lot like work. Approach time will be roughly an hour.