Old School Rock Climbing

Old School is the bottom section of the south-/southeast-facing wall on School of Rock. This wall is characterized by good rock, vertical crack systems, and long routes up to 3 pitches in length. In general, the climbs are harder than most climbs on the west face of School of Rock, but most grades are still very approachable and well-protected. All routes on Old School can be done as a single pitch or connected with a route(s) on High School wall above. The climbs above the sizeable ledge above Old School wall are called the High School. The routes on the lower Old School wall naturally connect to the routes on High School wall. There is no way to gain the large ledge between the Old School and High School walls unless one either rappels in from the top of the formation or climbs a route on Old School.

Descent beta for High School (see the descent beta photo):

Option 1: top out. A climbing party can top out on School of Rock and take a 2nd Class descent trail on the northwest side of the formation that wraps around to the base of Halcyon Days Wall and the Principal's Office.

Option 2: rappel the wall using one 60m or longer rope, but a 70m rope is best, as it requires less rappels. In general, there is a rappel route on the climber's left and climber's right side of the wall. The rappel route on climber's left is probably preferable. 

On climber's left, rappel from the top of High School using the bolted anchor in the middle of the wall that is easily accessible from the top. This lands you on the large ledge between Old School and High School. From this ledge, scramble to the bolted anchor with rappel chains on the large boulder behind the lone tree on the ledge. Rappel down from this rappel station - a 70m rope MAY put you on the ground from here. A 60m rope will definitely not. Regardless, one can rap from the bolted boulder rap station to the anchor atop Rock Got No Reason. From here, rappel to the ground.

On climber's right, rappel from the top of High School using the middle anchor easily accessible from the top. From here, scramble immediately skier's left to the anchor above School's Out Forever and A Class of Its Own. Rap from here to the bolted anchor below these two aforementioned routes. From this anchor, a 70m rope will reach the ground. Watch your ends. If you have a 60m rope, you will have to use the P1 anchors atop Class Act.