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Canoe-Based Climbing

Original Post
Matt Leslie · · Seattle, WA · Joined May 2015 · Points: 5

A couple weeks ago I did a short trip to Banks Lake out in Eastern Washington, and had a blast! 3 great days of climbing out of the canoe, cliff jumping, and camping on the water. We didn't see another climber the whole time, and from the few I've talked to who have been there that seems to be the norm.

It got me wondering what are some other climbing crags/destinations that you can access by boat? We had a great time and would love to know of any other destinations where we can bring our canoe and climb.

Tom Fralich · · Fort Collins, CO · Joined Nov 2006 · Points: 0
mountainproject.com/v/roger…

There's lots of other great rock further north in the Adirondacks, as well.
Evan Ratzan · · Boston, MA · Joined Aug 2009 · Points: 222

I was up in Minnesota for a wedding, and there is a bunch of sweet stuff by the boundary waters at the Canadian border. Also, the park ranger has excellent maps and knows where a lot of them are located in more detail. There are nice cabins to stay at nearby and you can rent boats to go out to climb. But beware of TONS of mosquitoes.

mountainproject.com/v/crane…

Matt Leslie · · Seattle, WA · Joined May 2015 · Points: 5

That's awesome! I grew up in Grand Rapids MN and went on many a trip to the Boundary Waters growing up. Didn't start climbing until I moved out west, but it has crossed my mind a couple times on if there could be any good climbing out near the BW. Thanks for the info!

webdog · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Feb 2009 · Points: 0

Big South Fork in TN. Class 3-4 whitewater with sandstone first ascents as well as established routes

Nick Sweeney · · Spokane, WA · Joined Jun 2013 · Points: 969

Banks is awesome. Some really cool 3-5 pitch climbs on the Orange Wall... fun stuff!

Bryan · · Minneapolis, MN · Joined Apr 2015 · Points: 457

Thanks for the heads up on Crane Lake Evan. I'm going to be up in the Boundary Waters next week but unfortunately in a different area. Didn't know there was some good climbing up there. I'm definitely going to come back with my canoe and climbing stuff sometime.

Andrew Gram · · Salt Lake City, UT · Joined Jan 2001 · Points: 3,725

Labyrinth Canyon near Moab - Stillwater too if you arrange the jet boat shuttle back to Moab. High adventure desert climbing with essentially no documentation, but many of the attractive cracks will have anchors at the top of them. Many first ascent possibilities.

Westwater Area along Ruby/Horsethief is very easy class II water - canoes do it all the time. These routes are also fairly adventurous desert climbing, but are very good. Note that these routes are actually in Ruby/Horsethief canyons and not Westwater canyon, which is committing class III-IV.

gavinsmith · · Toronto, Ontario · Joined Feb 2014 · Points: 86

Bon Echo in Eastern Ontario is exactly that. ~90m (300') of granite coming straight out of the lake for about a kilometre. The Alpine Club of Canada has a cabin on the lake and a boat for ferrying climbers between climbs. Most routes on the main wall are three pitches.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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