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Elevation: 10,852 ft
GPS: 40.2874, -105.66821
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 36,807 total · 124/month
Shared By: Julian Smith on Nov 29, 1999 · Updates
Admins: Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monty, Monomaniac, Tyler KC
Warning Access Issue: Closures DetailsDrop down
Warning Access Issue: 2022 Seasonal Falcon Closure DetailsDrop down

Description Suggest change

Located in Loch Vale, Cathedral Wall towers over its western end. You can't miss it on the walk into Sky Pond and the Cathedral Spires. More than likely, the sun is rising as you approach, turning the whole wall into a glorious sheet of orange. There are perhaps a dozen routes that climb either the main or second buttress. They all top out in the same vicinity, with the descent being down the backside to the Andrews Glacier trail. This descent is far more complicated than is let on to in Rossiter's guide. Watch out for being cliffed out. There were few cairns in the summer of 2001. Carefully find a gully to downclimb, more or less directly below, but slightly left of where the route tops out. You can't see it until you are right on top of it. Many of the routes are described as serious, but good moderate climbing is to be had as well. Definately worth adding an ascent of this wall to your repertoire.

Getting There Suggest change

From the Glacier Gorge parking area, follow the trail to Sky Pond. Access to wall is gained by traversing slopes of talus, just after the Andrews Glacier trail junction, but before you climb up to the waterfall on the Sky Pond trail.

Link to Cathedral Wall Ice

15 Total Climbs

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Location: Cathedral Wall Change
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Classic Climbing Routes at Cathedral Wall

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 27
Tourist Tragedy
Trad, Alpine 8 pitches
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a R
 6
Kor Route
Trad, Alpine 7 pitches
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a R
 16
Dalke Route
Trad, Alpine 6 pitches
5.10a/b 6a+ 19 VI+ 19 E2 5b
 5
Flying Nun
Trad, Alpine 6 pitches
5.11 6c+ 23 VIII- 23 E4 5c R
 30
Sublime Buttress
Trad, Alpine 7 pitches
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Tourist Tragedy
 27
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Trad, Alpine 8 pitches
Kor Route
 6
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a R Trad, Alpine 7 pitches
Dalke Route
 16
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a R Trad, Alpine 6 pitches
Flying Nun
 5
5.10a/b 6a+ 19 VI+ 19 E2 5b Trad, Alpine 6 pitches
Sublime Buttress
 30
5.11 6c+ 23 VIII- 23 E4 5c R Trad, Alpine 7 pitches
More Classic Climbs in Cathedral Wall »

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