Unknown column 'NAN' in 'where clause' Unknown column 'NAN' in 'where clause' A internal error has occurred. The system administrator has been notified. Our apologies... Mountain Project: Climbing BC's Wilderness Challenge (BWCAW)

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BC's Wilderness Challenge (BWCAW)
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Routes Sorted
L to R R to L Alpha
Dream On 
Natural Escalation 
Snake Hole 
Your Lichen It 


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BC's Wilderness Challenge (BWCAW) 


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Lat, Long: -90.9214, 48.1417 Map
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Administrators: Kris Gorny, Tom Erickson
Submitted By: Bryan Knigge on Sep 18, 2011

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  Print a Mini-Guide with routes

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The only access to this wall is by canoe or kayak MORE INFO >>>


BETA PHOTO: A front look at the cliff face with established ro...

Description 

This cliff face is granite and mostly hard rock with a few soft spots (obvious). Being in the wilderness area of the Minnesota Boundary Waters it is completely secluded and as far as we could tell, has never really been climbed (a real shame since it offers so much diversity). Mostly TR, with a few lines offering Trad with somewhat limited pro (we will be trying more of this next year). Def bring cleaning tools, a lot of this was covered in crispy lichen and collected dirt in some of the buckets. Not much protection from the sun for most of the day, but usually a nice breeze. The north portion of this cliff offers some great solo free climbing opportunities with deep water below.


Getting There 

50 miles northwest out of Grand Marais, Minnesota off Gunflint Trail on Seagull Lake. When get out on the lake it is approximately 1 hour paddle from the landing, and is marked on the areas website as a scenic lookout site. It has a trail on the south side that is a short hike to the top of the cliff.


The Classics

Mountain Project's determination of some of the classic, most popular, highest rated routes for BC's Wilderness Challenge (BWCAW):
Snake Hole   5.7     Trad, TR, 1 pitch, 65 feet   
Natural Escalation   5.8+     TR, 1 pitch, 55 feet   
Your Lichen It   5.8+     TR, 1 pitch, 65 feet   
Dream On   5.10a/b     TR, 1 pitch, 60 feet   
Browse More Classics in BC's Wilderness Challenge (BWCAW)

Featured Route For BC's Wilderness Challenge (BWCAW)
Finding a perch after the 'tough run' above the bulge on 'Dream On'

Dream On 5.10a/b  MN : BC's Wilderness Challenge (...
The crux for this route is in the very beginning, about 10 feet up. Have not figured a path through the bulge yet, but a though line around the right side will get you to the nice classic flake and finger stuff....[more]   Browse More Classics in MN


Photos of BC's Wilderness Challenge (BWCAW) Slideshow Add Photo
Shows an angle from the north and good view of the potential solo free climbing area with 'deep water pro' below...

Shows an angle from the north and good view of the...


Comments on BC's Wilderness Challenge (BWCAW) Add Comment
Show which comments —
By Chris treggE
Administrator
From: Madison, WI
Sep 21, 2011

Bryan said: "Def bring cleaning tools, a lot of this was covered in crispy lichen and collected dirt in some of the buckets."

That lichen takes more than 100 years to grow, and as a canoeing guide up there we would tell people not to fuck with it on the cliffs, since most of the folks headed to the boundary waters are not climbers and go to see pristine beauty.

How would you respond to that? "It's not illegal so we can do it if we want."?

Are you sure it's ok with the park? I really don't know. But it's something you might want to know. Most people who we would reprimand up there were carving their names in the lichen, so obviously climbing is not the same as that, but still would be nice to confirm before announcing to the mp world to start scrubbing. Just sayin'.

By Kris Moulton
From: Pine City, MN
Mar 9, 2012

I agree with Chris. I did a senior research project a couple years ago about finding climbable cliffs in the BWCA with GIS. I have a half dozen or more verified climbable cliffs in the BWCA, but not sure if I want to go climb them. If I leave a permanent (this lifetime plus more) scar on the cliff from cleaning too much, could I live with that? It's not only about me, but will others have a lessened sense of pure wilderness in an area of land that holds America's highest regard as a pristine place, a wilderness area.
Its a fine line between cleaning enough to have a good climb and over-cleaning. I'm thinking that I will try to climb up there, but ONLY if it needs minimal cleaning and can be done without bolts. I commented on "Dream On" about you asking the rangers to bolt it.
Whatever you do, please don't degrade our fragile relationship with the rangers as it is.