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Elevation: 1,902 ft 580 m
GPS: 49.67134, -116.81014
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The Kootenays Suggest change

This is a large area spanning two time zones and multiple mountain ranges. Usually divided into the West and the East split by Kootenay Lake.  With everything from alpine, trad, sport, ice and bouldering the Kootenays have got something for you.

The Kootenay River originates in the Rocky Mountains, near Canal Flats. It flows south for a while past Cranbrook then crosses into the USA where it cuts through Montana, Idaho and Washington. It then heads back north into BC at Creston where it enters Kootenay Lake, then exits west past Nelson before joining the mighty Columbia River in Castlegar.

Only the Canadian part of the river is referred to as "The Kootenays". 

Basically everything south of Revelstoke and Invermere to the 49th parallel. And everything west of the Rocky Mountains to the Arrow Lakes and Columbia River. It contains parts of the Selkirk, Purcell and Monashee mountain ranges.

1,523 Total Climbs

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Location: Kootenays Change
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Classic Climbing Routes at Kootenays

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 21
● Megawatts
Sport 8 pitches
W Kootenay > … > Castlegar > Megawatts
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 18
● Sunshine Crack
Trad
W Kootenay > … > Kinnaird Bluffs > Open Book Wall
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 12
● Hail Mary
Trad 3 pitches
W Kootenay > … > Kinnaird Bluffs > Hail Mary Wall
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a PG13
 68
● South Ridge
Trad, Alpine 7 pitches
W Kootenay > … > Valhalla Mountains > Mt Gimli
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 13
● Maniacs
Sport
W Kootenay > … > Arrow Lake > Zebra Wall
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b
 26
● G.I. Joe
Sport
E Kootenay > E Kootenay > Lakit Lake
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
 27
● Kamikaze
Sport
E Kootenay > E Kootenay > Lakit Lake
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
 17
● Stick It In the Slot
Sport
E Kootenay > E Kootenay > Lakit Lake
5.10c/d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b
 16
● The Mercenaries
Sport
W Kootenay > … > Arrow Lake > Zebra Wall
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b
 13
● Lieutenant
Sport
W Kootenay > … > Waterline > 1. Ravens Wall
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c
 11
● Hillbilly Lovin in the Hay
Sport
E Kootenay > E Kootenay > Lakit Lake
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c
 24
● Illicit Engagement
Sport
E Kootenay > E Kootenay > Lakit Lake
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c
 21
● Bubble Wrap
Sport
E Kootenay > E Kootenay > Lakit Lake
5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a
 10
● The Righteous Redneck
Sport
E Kootenay > E Kootenay > Lakit Lake
5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b
 8
● Air Mail
Sport
E Kootenay > E Kootenay > Lakit Lake
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
● Megawatts W Kootenay > … > Castlegar > Megawatts
 21
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Sport 8 pitches
● Sunshine Crack W Kootenay > … > Kinnaird Bluffs > Open Book Wall
 18
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Trad
● Hail Mary W Kootenay > … > Kinnaird Bluffs > Hail Mary Wall
 12
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Trad 3 pitches
● South Ridge W Kootenay > … > Valhalla Mountains > Mt Gimli
 68
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a PG13 Trad, Alpine 7 pitches
● Maniacs W Kootenay > … > Arrow Lake > Zebra Wall
 13
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Sport
● G.I. Joe E Kootenay > E Kootenay > Lakit Lake
 26
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b Sport
● Kamikaze E Kootenay > E Kootenay > Lakit Lake
 27
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b Sport
● Stick It In the Slot E Kootenay > E Kootenay > Lakit Lake
 17
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b Sport
● The Mercenaries W Kootenay > … > Arrow Lake > Zebra Wall
 16
5.10c/d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b Sport
● Lieutenant W Kootenay > … > Waterline > 1. Ravens Wall
 13
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b Sport
● Hillbilly Lovin in the Hay E Kootenay > E Kootenay > Lakit Lake
 11
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c Sport
● Illicit Engagement E Kootenay > E Kootenay > Lakit Lake
 24
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c Sport
● Bubble Wrap E Kootenay > E Kootenay > Lakit Lake
 21
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c Sport
● The Righteous Redneck E Kootenay > E Kootenay > Lakit Lake
 10
5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a Sport
● Air Mail E Kootenay > E Kootenay > Lakit Lake
 8
5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b Sport
More Classic Climbs in Kootenays »

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