Get Your A$$ to Mars!

[I would like to ask that a new section of the Route Guide be added for this remote but beautiful climbing location]

My partner Curiosity just sent pictures from a recent scouting mission to Mt. Sharp, near the Yellowknife plateau. The approach is a bit long (approx. 4 yrs), but from afar, it's a stunning peak:

How to get there
It's somewhat expensive to make this trip, as it's only accessible by private charter, but the good news is you don't need climbing permits, entry visas or even a passport. Do bring enough supplies for an extended stay, as there are no nearby supermarkets or convenience stores.

Approach
From the Gale Plateau approach, the base of Mt. Sharp is an easy scramble up 3rd class terrain, reminiscent of most High Sierra approaches:



(note that there are frequent dust storms and the air is quite thin, so glacier glasses and supplemental oxygen may be required, if not full EVA gear.)

Several passes lead to the Murray Buttes area, where many projects have been identified but yet to be climbed.



It would be a good idea to refill your Camelbak here, but locating a stream may be difficult. You might want to pack extra water.

Once at Murray Buttes, you can just choose a line and start climbing! As soon as you make the first move off the deck, you'll be amazed at how effortless and light you feel.

As noted in a previous TR ( mars.nasa.gov/msl/curiosity…) by a JPL Engineer: "'Murray Buttes' is a beautiful place for exploring. It's like a garden for rock lovers."



The rock is similar to Moab sandstone, but somewhat more frangible, so remember to test holds, and if you're belaying, take extra care to avoid falling objects, as the nearest hospital is quite distant, and there are no medevac services. Your AAC rescue benefits will apply, but may not fully cover the cost of extraction and the return trip home.



The terrain runs from easy low-angle slabs to overhung run out routes. Please note that there are no bolted belays yet, so bring a full trad rack (fat cams recommended). Even though "no one cares about your tri-cams", bring them too.

Curiosity and I highly recommend you make this trip to Mt. Sharp...it's so great you may never return!

Great photos.

But there was just a thread recently about climbing Mars:

mountainproject.com/v/any-b…

Don't forget to bring resistance training gear & hangboard, you're gonna be stuck on your ride there for a while and you don't want to arrive out of shape.

I've also heard it gets pretty cold at night, bring the extra fluffy sleeping bag.

Man...amazing stuff thanks for sharing.. I just keep looking at those photos and try to feel how can be to get there one day...

so when will someone make a Mars section of MP? I mean, the trump tower route is on here...

OXYGEN IS AID!

why not go for the mars high point and climb olympus mons

Approach beta:
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/28/science/elon-musk-spacex-mars-exploration.html?_r=0

Looks like Aleppo

"What is Aleppo?"
-Gary Johnson

Ahahahahaha don't ask that question,,, eheheheh ilmao...