Shell Canyon

Description 

On the west flank of the Bighorns, Highway 14 cuts through this scenic canyon with its massive dolomite escarpments and deep granite gorge. Shell Creek cleaves through the red granite, forming a tight canyon with walls several hundred feet tall in spots. Access into this chasm is limited to the occasional break in the cliffs, or by rapping in and climbing out.

Apparently, there have been a decent amount of rock routes established on the granite, but the cracks are reportedly rather dirty and unappealing. To my knowledge, there are no published sources of information on these routes.

There are also several ice climbs scattered throughout the canyon. Some of these have been frequented for decades, while others are only recently seeing activity. Again, there is no published source of info, so this is currently the best beta available. The climbing history of the area is sparse; I'm trying to investigate this history more thoroughly, and if anyone else has info please contribute it here!

Getting There 

From the tiny town of Shell at the western foot of the Bighorns, drive up Highway 14 into the canyon. Or, drop into the canyon from above, by driving across the mountains on 14 from Ranchester/Dayton on the east side.

Featured Route For Shell Canyon

Unnamed Chimney WI3+ M4  WY : Shell Canyon : Central Gorge

A very unique moderate mixed line up a tight chimney with a cool chockstone topout. The granite is excellent, the ice great, and the climbing intriguing. My vote for the coolest climb in the canyon! Quite the anomaly, this doesn't have any sizable drainage above it, yet must have a good groundwater source because it's full of good ice. It starts with a tight squeeze chimney (suck in that gut and don't get your helmet wedged). There's ice in the b...[more]