Mountain Project Logo

Boulderers and Climbers in Talkeetna AK

Original Post
Melissa Chili · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Apr 2015 · Points: 0

Hello people of mountain project,

I'll be moving to Talkeetna AK for the summer and am looking for partners to boulder or trad/sport climb with (sport in AK?). I've read the guide books on south central AK and looked on online beta, but just wanna get a better feel for the area. I know Talkeetna is a mountaineer's world.

Anyone climbers in Talkeetna?
Anyone with advice?

Thanks!
Meliss

L. Von Dommelheimer · · Anchorage · Joined Nov 2010 · Points: 2,835

Hatcher pass is probably your best bet for close to Talkeetna, it's about a two hour drive for you there. Hatcher has a good bouldering scene and a good trad climbing scene, the weather can be hard to work with. Feel free to shoot any questions my way.

Nick Weicht · · Valdez, AK · Joined Dec 2010 · Points: 41,393

Hey Meliss,

I'm not sure how much climbing is right around Talkeetna. Maybe a few boulders and a small indoor wall at one of the cabins in town. The area is quite flat and while it is known as a mountaineer jump off point I don't know of much climbing in the area. If you head north to Dragonfly Creek, just beyond the turnoff for Denali Park, you will find a couple TR setups. Walk down stream to a medium sized cliff band and look for some bolts. There are a few boulders located in the forest near the Denali Visitor Center and hundred foot long shallow water traverse up stream at Savage Creek. The traverse was my favorite peace of real rock in the area due to its setting and fun mile long approach. 5.11a maybe. The real jem in the area is the climbing wall located under Windy River Bridge. This is a full hundred foot top rope crimp session up the pillar that supports the bridge truss. Take the catwalk to access the routes and use the safty rail as your anchor. I may or may not have heard that a sweet rope swing could be set up under the bridge if you bring a 60m rope and 4' of chain to rap around the steel as an anchor ;) If you make it to Alaska before Memorial Day Weekend you should try and swing by Valdez for our Rock Climbing Festival. Lots of sport routes, music, food and fires to be had over the three day weekend. Check it out on Facebook at Valdez Rock Climbing Festival or Valdez Ice Climbing Festival if your around in Feb. Hope you have a great time in Talkeetna.
Nick

lol

Getting some finger pump

Melissa Chili · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Apr 2015 · Points: 0

Thanks guys! I will have a car, so I can easily drive to some areas farther south. And Nick, I'll have to take some of your beta. The areas you mention sound silly and fun, and you know, you take what you can get. I'm just happy if I can get climbing.

Unfortunately, I won't be in Alaska for memorial day/ the festival. I wish though! I've been reading about it. I'm graduating from undergrad in NY on May 16th then driving out to Talkeetna for June 5th. So, we're hauling over slowish through BC/Alberta/Yukon. If only I had enough time for the bugaboos while over there.

Meliss

Nick Weicht · · Valdez, AK · Joined Dec 2010 · Points: 41,393

Add the two or three extra hours and drive past Banff and Jasper. It is well worth it!!!! We may be having a post festival climbing party in June so that the Alaska Pacific University and a bunch of others that will be up on the Routh Gl. can still come down and have a good time. Keep in touch and have a safe drive.

Clint Helander · · Anchorage, AK · Joined Dec 2007 · Points: 612

always game to climb in hatcher pass, not that far from TKA. PM me whenever.

L. Von Dommelheimer · · Anchorage · Joined Nov 2010 · Points: 2,835

You can also PM me about climbing. Hatcher is my regular haunt.

Melissa Chili · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Apr 2015 · Points: 0

Sweet, thanks guys! Hopefully I'll see you out there soon.
-M

thomas ellis · · abq · Joined Oct 2009 · Points: 2,615

There is some good bouldering and a few routes around Byers Lake worth checking out since it is close to talkeetna. PM me if you want beta. I make it down there a few times per season. Good luck, Tom

Melissa Chili · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Apr 2015 · Points: 0

Hey if anyone is looking to head out, as I'm itching to now that I'm settled in, give me a text at 508 498 3444. Awesome, thanks!

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Pacific Northwest
Post a Reply to "Boulderers and Climbers in Talkeetna AK"

Log In to Reply

Join the Community

Create your FREE account today!
Already have an account? Login to close this notice.

Get Started.