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| Elevation: | 6,694 ft |
| GPS: |
43.28839, -110.53668 Google Map · Climbing Area Map |
| Page Views: | 78,336 total · 394/month |
| Shared By: | Nick Stayner on Dec 23, 2007 · Updates |
| Admins: | Mike Snyder, Taylor Spiegelberg, Jake Dickerson |
Description
The Hoback Shield ("The Shield") is a slabby escarpment of nice limestone with a good selection of route different than any found elsewhere in the valley. If you enjoy calf pumps, pinches, dimples, and a few good roof pulls, check this place out!
Best in spring and fall. Summer is OK until the sun hits it at about 11 AM. The cliff is directly south facing. A good combo day can be made by hitting the Shield in the morning and Rodeo Wall in the afternoon.
Most of the routes were developed by Joe Sottile (AKA Maxwell Yanoff), Greg Miles, and a few others in the early 90s. Miles returned in the early 2000s to retrobolt a few of the sportier classics, thus making them extremely popular. Also in the early 00s, Trevor Bowman added a nice selection of moderate sport routes. Despite the rebolting efforts, routes here are still considered sporty by some. Bring your slab head!
There are a handful of trad routes here which should prove exciting for anyone interesting in polished limestone cracks. Also, many of the sport routes have second pitches that go to the top of the cliff and are protected by trad gear. Please be careful if you decide to top out. Much loose rock exists up there.
Best in spring and fall. Summer is OK until the sun hits it at about 11 AM. The cliff is directly south facing. A good combo day can be made by hitting the Shield in the morning and Rodeo Wall in the afternoon.
Most of the routes were developed by Joe Sottile (AKA Maxwell Yanoff), Greg Miles, and a few others in the early 90s. Miles returned in the early 2000s to retrobolt a few of the sportier classics, thus making them extremely popular. Also in the early 00s, Trevor Bowman added a nice selection of moderate sport routes. Despite the rebolting efforts, routes here are still considered sporty by some. Bring your slab head!
There are a handful of trad routes here which should prove exciting for anyone interesting in polished limestone cracks. Also, many of the sport routes have second pitches that go to the top of the cliff and are protected by trad gear. Please be careful if you decide to top out. Much loose rock exists up there.
Getting There
(NOTE: these were amended 6/2015 after being inaccurate for many years)
The Shield sits above the Hoback River. If you're driving from Jackson, make a left at Hoback Junction onto Highway 189/191 into Hoback Canyon, paralleling the Hoback River. Drive approx. 11 mi, crossing the river 4 times. Shortly after crossing the Hoback River the 4th time, park in a large pullout which will appear on the right (south) side of the road. The south-facing cliff is visible and sits above you across the road.
Cross the road and encounter a nice trail, which switchbacks up to the base of the cliff. Allow about 10 minutes.
The Shield sits above the Hoback River. If you're driving from Jackson, make a left at Hoback Junction onto Highway 189/191 into Hoback Canyon, paralleling the Hoback River. Drive approx. 11 mi, crossing the river 4 times. Shortly after crossing the Hoback River the 4th time, park in a large pullout which will appear on the right (south) side of the road. The south-facing cliff is visible and sits above you across the road.
Cross the road and encounter a nice trail, which switchbacks up to the base of the cliff. Allow about 10 minutes.
Classic Climbing Routes at Hoback Shield
Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
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Photos
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