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Elevation: 16 ft
GPS: 61.0583, -149.7979
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Shared By: Dustin English on Jul 10, 2007 · Updates
Admins: L. Von Dommelheimer

Description Suggest change

This area holds the majority of the rock climbing close to Anchorage. Much of the rock is road cuts along the Seward Highway, although there is plenty located off the road on natural formations. This area is known for its loose rock and generally chossy nature, although the crags hold many hidden gems. Wearing a helmet is a must! Routes range in difficulty from easy 5.5 trad at Bermuda Triangle to hard 5.14a test pieces like "Howl of the Damned," at Shriek of the Mutilated. Seward Highway even hosts climbs established by the legendary Mugs Stump.


Despite the noise of the highway, It is a great place to go to after work or just for a few hours. You can see the famous bore tide, whales, sheep, bears and eagles all along the road and get some climbing in!


There have been a series of guidebooks published about the climbing on the Seward Highway, notably "The Scar" brought the highway to the masses. Currently the more extensive "Alaska Rock Climbing Guide" by Kelsey Gray has become the book of choice. Unfortunately, Seward Highway has the distinction of being voted by Climbing Magazine as one of the five worst climbing areas in America. 


As of the last few years a rebolting initiative has been taking place, but not all routes have seen work, use caution while climbing.

Getting There Suggest change

Head south out of Anchorage, once you hit the Weigh Station reset your odometer.

351 Total Climbs

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Location: Seward Highway Change
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Classic Climbing Routes at Seward Highway

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
V4 6B
 6
Half Moon traverse
Boulder
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
 68
Sunshine Ridge
Trad 4 pitches
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
 50
Butt Crack
Trad
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 27
Accident Victim
Sport
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 35
Pivot Point
Trad, Sport
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 35
No Whiners
Sport
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 26
Great Lobster Dispute
Sport
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
 16
Twinkle Toes
Trad
5.10c/d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b
 17
Dino's Stubble Trouble
Sport
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c
 7
Creation Science
Sport 2 pitches
5.11- 6c 22 VIII- 22 E3 5c
 5
Unknown 1
Sport
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c
 4
Piece of the Pie
Sport
5.11 6c+ 23 VIII- 23 E4 5c
 7
Calling Out
Sport
5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a
 15
Dino Who?
Sport
5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b
 4
The BROT
Sport
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Half Moon traverse Bird Creek Boul… > Main Boulders
 6
V4 6B Boulder
Sunshine Ridge Sunshine Ridge
 68
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b Trad 4 pitches
Butt Crack Pivot Point > Upper Pivot Point
 50
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b Trad
Accident Victim Red Gate
 27
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Sport
Pivot Point Pivot Point > Lower Pivot Point
 35
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Trad, Sport
No Whiners Goats Head Soup
 35
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Sport
Great Lobster Dispute Goats Head Soup
 26
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Sport
Twinkle Toes Twinkle Toes Area
 16
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b Trad
Dino's Stubble Trouble Dino Head
 17
5.10c/d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b Sport
Creation Science Morning Star Gully
 7
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c Sport 2 pitches
Unknown 1 Mosquito Ledge
 5
5.11- 6c 22 VIII- 22 E3 5c Sport
Piece of the Pie Mosquito Ledge
 4
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c Sport
Calling Out Resolution Bluff
 7
5.11 6c+ 23 VIII- 23 E4 5c Sport
Dino Who? Dino Head
 15
5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a Sport
The BROT Hot Dog Wall
 4
5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b Sport
More Classic Climbs in Seward Highway »

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