The Bear Rock Climbing
Elevation: | 3,258 ft | 993 m |
GPS: |
38.652, -122.61094 Google Map · Climbing Area Map |
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Page Views: | 84,290 total · 308/month | |
Shared By: | Brian Quiter on Jun 17, 2002 · Updates | |
Admins: | Aron Quiter, Mike Morley, Adam Stackhouse, Salamanizer Ski, Justin Johnsen, Vicki Schwantes |
Description
The Bear is one of the highest areas on Mt. St. Helena, and it's name probably comes from the fact that it's a pain in the ass to get up to it. The climbing is on a large overhanging face and ranges from 5.9's to 5.12's. On the right side of the main face, there exists 3 second pitch routes that don't see much traffic. They can be approached from any of the climbs beneath because of the sizable ledge at their base. Finally, be a nice belayer and try not to lower climbers into the sharp trees beneath the climbs. Loose rocks above the second pitch climbs make it advisable to always wear a helmet at the base if any other groups are up top.
Rock is also chossier the further to the right you go: belayers should always wear helmets.
Getting There
Approach time: From the bubble: 5-10 minutes. From the road: 20 - 45 minutes.
(edit)
Per Dodrill's comment. There is now an excellent approach trail to the Bear. Continue up the fire trail maybe 1/4 mile from the bubble, going past the Bear looming above on the left. As the fire trail takes a hard left (i.e. turns from east to NNW on the map) there is a good narrow trail that traverses back through manzanita and young pines towards the Bear. If you reach Looney Tunes, you've gone too far.
The beta photo on the right is now very wrong. Hopefully our dear administrators will delete it sometime.
Old approach beta that is only here for posterity:
From the switchback at the bubble, continue up the firetrail about 150 yards and look for a steep, loose trail leading up from the left side of the road (its not too obvious). There's a dead tree across the road from the road form the beginning of the trail, but it doesn't really stand out, so we figured we'd supply some pictures.Upon finding the trail, you have about a 5 minute pain in the ass hike up the steep, loose path until you come to the left-most end of the bear. The first climb you'll come to is Jeckyl & Hyde and then Rampage, which begins near the noticable tree. As you continue adjacent to the rock, the Chimney climb, Mark's Moderate is a very recognizable landmark if you become disoriented.
Classic Climbing Routes at The Bear
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