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Elevation: 2,000 ft 610 m
GPS: 43.91799, -71.58519
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 487,788 total · 2,838/month
Shared By: Jay Knower on Oct 26, 2011
Admins: Jay Knower, M Sprague, Jeffrey LeCours, Jonathan S, Robert Hall

Description Suggest change

Waterville Valley was rightfully considered a climbing backwater, that is until the pandemic hit. Since then, development has continued unabated, and it has unearthed (literally) some really fantastic climbing. From the sweeping slabs of Dickie Ledge, to the forested mini-crags of Bald Knob/Yellowjacket; from the roadside sport climbing at Russell Crags (in Merriam Woods), to the soaring alpine cracks of Mt Osceola, and oh yeah... ice at Fletchers Cascade! There's likely something for everyone in them thar' hills. 

There's still a lot of untouched rock out there: some of it is good, some of it is terrible, and some of it is completely inaccessible. But people keep looking, hoping to stumble upon the next Waimea*, but more likely finding solitude, beautiful mountain views, and a profound respect for the uniqueness of the Waterville Valley area.

*If you read the previous version of this page, you'll know that I said we're all looking for the next Main Cliff. We found it here! So now we're looking for the next Waimea. 

Getting There Suggest change

Most of the climbing is accessed from Highway 49, which is Exit 28 of Interstate 93, or accessed off Tripoli Road, which is Exit 31 of Interstate 93. Tripoli Road is closed from November through May. 

355 Total Climbs

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Location: WM: Waterville Valley Change
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Classic Climbing Routes at WM: Waterville Valley

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
V5 6C
 13
Trillium
Boulder
V5+ 6C+
 8
Trillium Sit
Boulder
5.10- 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 11
Lurking in the Bushes
Trad
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b
 10
Never lonesome
Trad
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b
 11
Exposure Therapy
Sport
5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b
 14
Journey to Lost World
Trad 2 pitches
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
 13
Resident Evil
Trad
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b
 8
Nightmare on Slab Street
Sport
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b
 11
Hang Tenish
Sport
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c
 16
Sex on the Beach
Sport
5.11 6c+ 23 VIII- 23 E4 5c
 11
Learn to Swim
Sport 2 pitches
5.11 6c+ 23 VIII- 23 E4 5c
 8
Subversive Behavior
Sport
5.11c/d 7a 24 VIII 25 E4 6a
 7
Brain Cramp
Trad
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a
 11
The Swordfighter
Sport, Alpine
5.12- 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a
 5
Members Only
Sport
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Trillium Yellowjacket Area > Yellowjacket Boulder
 13
V5 6C Boulder
Trillium Sit Yellowjacket Area > Yellowjacket Boulder
 8
V5+ 6C+ Boulder
Lurking in the Bushes Welch & Dickey… > Dickey Ledge > 06. The Dark Side
 11
5.10- 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Trad
Never lonesome Yellowjacket Area > … > Slablands > 2- Divination Slab
 10
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b Trad
Exposure Therapy Mt Osceola > Exile Crag > Cloudbreak
 11
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b Sport
Journey to Lost World Yellowjacket Area > … > Slablands > 4- Bald Knob Cliff AK…
 14
5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b Trad 2 pitches
Resident Evil Welch & Dickey… > Dickey Ledge > 06. The Dark Side
 13
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b Trad
Nightmare on Slab Street Yellowjacket Area > … > Slablands > 4- Bald Knob Cliff AK…
 8
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b Sport
Hang Tenish Mt Osceola > Exile Crag > Cloudbreak
 11
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b Sport
Sex on the Beach Welch & Dickey… > Dickey Ledge > 02. The Ocean
 16
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c Sport
Learn to Swim Welch & Dickey… > Dickey Ledge > 02. The Ocean
 11
5.11 6c+ 23 VIII- 23 E4 5c Sport 2 pitches
Subversive Behavior Welch & Dickey… > Dickey Ledge > 02. The Ocean
 8
5.11 6c+ 23 VIII- 23 E4 5c Sport
Brain Cramp Welch & Dickey… > Dickey Ledge > 02. The Ocean
 7
5.11c/d 7a 24 VIII 25 E4 6a Trad
The Swordfighter Mt Osceola > High Camp Crags > High Camp Cliff
 11
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a Sport, Alpine
Members Only Welch & Dickey… > Dickey Ledge > 02. The Ocean
 5
5.12- 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a Sport
More Classic Climbs in WM: Waterville Valley »

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