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Parley's Canyon

Submitted By: Andrew Gram on Apr 3, 2004
Administrators: Andrew Gram, Perin Blanchard
Latitude: 40.7118  Longitude: -111.7900 
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Sunset from Parley's Riptide wall.


Description 

Parley's Canyon is not as pleasant or extensive as Little or Big Cottonwood Canyon, but there is a bit of decent climbing if you don't mind the roar of the interstate.


Getting There 

Parleys is the canyon that I-80 uses to reach Park City. Decent crags are widely scattered and use different approaches.


The Classics

Mountain Project's determination of some of the classic, most popular, highest rated routes for Parley's Canyon:
Up In a Flash   5.8     Sport, 1 pitch, 110 feet   Iron Curtain Wall
Riptide   5.9     Trad, Sport, 1 pitch, 90 feet   Riptide Wall
Gotta Be Tall Or Else You'll Fall   5.9     Sport, 1 pitch, 80 feet   Iron Curtain Wall
Out of Touch   5.9+ R     Sport, 1 pitch, 80 feet   Iron Curtain Wall
Iron Curtain   5.10a     Sport, 1 pitch, 80 feet   Iron Curtain Wall
Edge of the Sea   5.10a     Trad, 1 pitch, 80 feet   Riptide Wall
Road Rage   5.10b     Sport   The Bungalow
Perestroika   5.10c     Sport, 1 pitch, 70 feet   Iron Curtain Wall
Feeding Frenzy   5.10c     Sport, 1 pitch, 80 feet   Riptide Wall
One With the Rock   5.11c     Sport, TR, 1 pitch, 80 feet   Iron Curtain Wall
Astroprojection   5.11d     Trad, Sport, TR, 1 pitch, 80 feet   Riptide Wall
Browse More Classics in Parley's Canyon

Featured Route For Parley's Canyon
Setting up a top rope.  We used directionals for Astroprojection on the face and a straight rope for Dirty Rotten Horror along the corner.

Astroprojection 5.11d  UT : Wasatch Range : ... : Riptide Wall
The eastern most bolted line, Astroprojection is an edging dream or nightmare depending on your ability. It starts a little slabby, but beyond that there is nothing easy about it. Getting to the overhang is thin and tough on the fingers. Popping the overhang is a decision making process. Do you utilize the right or left crack, layback or jam? Once the roof is cleared, the climbing gets harder (imagine that). Stay off that left arete (no rea...[more]   Browse More Classics in UT


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By Lee Gitlin
Jul 10, 2004

Parleys has a surprising number of good climbs in a small area. I prefered the Iron Curtain wall, with a variety of routes ranging from 5.8 to 5.11. You have your choice of 40-110 foot routes. Thin crimps and friction feet are the order of the day, although a few of the routes (Up in a Flash, Gotta be Tall, Out of Touch) are quasi jug-hauls. Generally speaking, the first bolts are pretty high, especially Up in a Flash. And some would consider the routes a bit run out, with big whippers possible.Almost all of the routes have spinner bolts. This may paint a bleak picture, particularly with canyon winds and traffic noise to add to the (lack of) ambience. But those who persevere will be rewarded with suprisingly good, high quality climbing. This crag is worth at least one solid, long day per season.

By vincent pierce
Oct 5, 2004

A number of these routes would be three stars if not for the location. The highway is annoying and the descent to the base is heinous. Other than that, the climbing is great.

By Dalton
Apr 4, 2005

I think this area is great when its not too crowded. People complain about the traffic and highway, but that makes it a great urban climbing scene. Its an area you can knock out a climb over lunch.

By Ryan Brough
From: Arvada, Colorado
Aug 26, 2006

I respectfully disagree with Mr. Pierce. Although many of the trails (chutes) leading to the base of the climbs are "heinous", there are alternatives. There is an easy trail that branches off of the service road after passing the shack that leads to the top of the Riptide Wall. Even easier, you can rappel from the anchors atop both Iron Curtain Wall and Riptide Wall!

By Alec
Sep 23, 2007

WARNING -- Criminal Activity at the parking lot of this crag

I was parked in the parking lot of this crag on 9/23/07 (northern terminus of Wasatch Blvd.) when my car was broken into. The driver's side window was smashed, along with that of another car next to mine.

We encountered a shady-looking character at the top of the crag (Iron Curtain wall) with a hammer and chisel-like device. About 25-30 years old, male, short brown hair, 6 feet or so, claimed he lived in the area (walking distance). Be wary when parking here...

By AnthonyJ
From: Salt Lake City UT
Sep 21, 2009

Many of the bolts on the riptide wall should be replaced. If anybody feels up to the task I would happily donate cash for some of the hardware.

By Shaft
From: Salt Lake City
Sep 21, 2009

Anthony, I agree with you, those crags could use some attention. One way to get this on the radar of the ASCA/SLCA for bolt replacement is to post this exact information in the forum found here:

http://www.saltlakeclimbers.org/forum/viewforum.php?f=3

A donation to the ASCA with a message about the $ being earmarked for Parleys might also help, no guarantees though.

http://safeclimbing.org

By mikewhite
Oct 22, 2009

I will try to get to it this weekend.

Thanks for the heads up.