Shady Side Rock Climbing

Shady Side faces northeast and goes into the shade around noon in the summer.

The majority of the routes on both the Shady and Sunny Sides are used during the Pocatello Pump and over the years the routes were given numbers that were eventually fixed to the base of climbs on small metal tags (or discretely painted on). Only a few routes have alternate names. This guide will give the number and alternative name (if it exists).

The routes on the Shady Side can be identified by a small tag with a number at the base of the cliff. The cliff is well equipped with fixed anchors and top ropes are easily set up by scrambling up the occasional weakness in the cliff band or accessing the top of the cliff from the north end. Each route has 3 - 4 fixed anchors at the top so slings, cordelette and locking biners are all that is need to set up TR anchors.

Routes 1 - 25 are in the open north area. Routes 26 -60 continue along the wall behind the trees in the middle and continue to open south sections. Routes range from 5.6 to 5.12 and are 25-30 feet tall. Some of the routes can be led with trad gear and most of the routes on the Shady Side have been free soloed. There are also many boulder problems along the base.

The base area is part of Ross Park and is very pleasant with well maintained with lawns and picnic tables. The base of cliff has shredded bark which is nice for keeping your ropes clean and out of the dirt. There is a walking/bike path that runs the length of the cliff band.