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Shredder Reef

International > N America > Canada > Alberta > Jasper NP

Description

A nice small climbing area with unique black coral-like limestone slabs. The cliff has about 10 bolted routes. The guidebook grades them mostly 5.8, but they felt more like 5.6. This is a great area to practice footwork on small holds, but all the routes are similar and it may get old quickly.

While the climbing is fairly easy, beware that a fall on the sharp limestone may reveal the true meaning of the route names.

Getting There

The Northern Exposure guidebook by Francois Laplante has excellent description of approach and routes at Shredder Reef. The approach is a small adventure on its own. Park in a small pullout on route 16 37.5 km from Jasper. There is a characteristic gate at the back of pullout. Follow the creek bed and look for a faint trail on the left bank of the creek. It is easier and safer to hike on the bank than thread the boulders of the creek bed itself. After passing nice steep sand towers on your right, the trail enters an impressive small canyon. Mind your steps here as some of the limestone is water polished and slippery. The wall becomes visible in about 100 m after you exit the canyon.

Routes from Left to Right

5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b
 1
Code Blue
Sport, Alpine
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b
 1
ICU
Sport, Alpine
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
 1
Rescue Route
Sport, Alpine
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
 2
Avulsion
Sport, Alpine
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
 2
Cutting Edge
Sport, Alpine
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
 1
Abrasion
Sport, Alpine
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
 1
Limestone Ripped my Flesh
Sport, Alpine
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
 1
A 64
Sport, Alpine
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Code Blue
 1
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b Sport, Alpine
ICU
 1
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b Sport, Alpine
Rescue Route
 1
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b Sport, Alpine
Avulsion
 2
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b Sport, Alpine
Cutting Edge
 2
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b Sport, Alpine
Abrasion
 1
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b Sport, Alpine
Limestone Ripped my Flesh
 1
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b Sport, Alpine
A 64
 1
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b Sport, Alpine

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

The small canyon on approach trail to Shredded Reef
[Hide Photo] The small canyon on approach trail to Shredded Reef