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GPS: 40.82207, -124.11247
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
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Shared By: Peter Franzen on Aug 3, 2006
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Description Suggest change

Northwest California encompasses a large geographic area, bounded by I-5 to the east, Highway 20 to the south, the Oregon border to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west. Climbing exists on numerous rock types, including sandstone (Promontory, Footsteps, High Bluffs), quartzite (Land Of The Lost), and granite (The Grotto, Trinity Alps), among others.

However, limestone is the draw of northwestern California and is the real deal. The Trinity Aretes, Marble Caves, Lover's Leap, Cecilville Bluffs, Castle Rock, the Caverns, and a number of smaller areas offer excellent limestone sport climbing crags hiding in plain view in the wilds of the region. Limestone can be found year-round; whereas the Trinity Aretes are primarily a summer crag, the Marble Caves and Cecilville Bluffs are best fall through spring. Wherever you go, you are unlikely to see many other climbers, if any. The relative lack of traffic often adds a bit of adventure to the climbing scene, but it is more than made up for in absence of crowds and quality of climbing.

If bouldering is more your speed, numerous blocs line the beaches from Arcata to Crescent City. Bouldering can be found inland as well, often in river-associated locations.

Getting There Suggest change

From the Bay Area or the Oregon Coast follow Highway 101 north or south. From the Northeast (Southern Oregon, Portland or other Northwest locales), follow I-5 exiting in Grant's Pass to Hwy 199 to 101 south. From the East (Tahoe, Sierra, Colorado, etc) find your way to Redding on the I-5 corridor. Take 299 until you hit 101.

Guidebook

Suggest change

If you're climbing in northwestern California, do yourself a favor and buy the new guidebook from Evan Wisheropp.

Redwood Burl: https://www.wolverinepublishing.com/store/redwood-burl/

971 Total Climbs

Route Finder - Best Climbs for YOU!

Location: Northwest California Change
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Classic Climbing Routes at Northwest California

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 44
Tentacle
Sport
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 36
Plague of Flies
Sport
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b
 20
Birthday Boy
Sport
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b
 42
The Slow Spring
Sport
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b
 31
Wildwood
Sport
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c
 31
Bambi Slayer
Sport
5.11 6c+ 23 VIII- 23 E4 5c
 27
Gold Rush
Sport
5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a
 26
Gooseberry
Sport
5.11c/d 7a 24 VIII 25 E4 6a
 19
Lost At Sea
Sport
5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a
 18
Visions Of Impalement
Sport
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a
 34
Riptide
Sport
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b
 19
Whiplash
Sport
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b
 22
Pulling Teeth
Sport
5.12b/c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b
 42
Great White
Sport
5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b
 16
Reality Check
Sport
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Tentacle Promontory > Puff Boulder
 44
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Sport
Plague of Flies Promontory > Exploding Energy Boulder
 36
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Sport
Birthday Boy Marble Caves > 6. Visionary Buttress
 20
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b Sport
The Slow Spring Promontory > Puff Boulder
 42
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b Sport
Wildwood Promontory > Puff Boulder
 31
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b Sport
Bambi Slayer Trinity ArĂȘtes > Shooting Gallery > Upper Shooting Gallery
 31
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c Sport
Gold Rush Trinity ArĂȘtes > Shooting Gallery > Upper Shooting Gallery
 27
5.11 6c+ 23 VIII- 23 E4 5c Sport
Gooseberry Trinity ArĂȘtes > Visions Wall
 26
5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a Sport
Lost At Sea Promontory > Main Wall
 19
5.11c/d 7a 24 VIII 25 E4 6a Sport
Visions Of Impalement Trinity ArĂȘtes > Visions Wall
 18
5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a Sport
Riptide Promontory > Abyss Boulder
 34
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a Sport
Whiplash Trinity ArĂȘtes > Shooting Gallery > Lower Shooting Gallery
 19
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b Sport
Pulling Teeth Promontory > Main Wall
 22
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b Sport
Great White Promontory > Main Wall
 42
5.12b/c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b Sport
Reality Check Promontory > Exploding Energy Boulder
 16
5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b Sport
More Classic Climbs in Northwest California »

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