Chimney Rock - West Face  Photos:  Recent | Best | Popular Page Views:  12,141. Good page?    Administrators:  C Miller, Adam Stackhouse, M.Morley, Sam Vanderhyden, Tom Erickson Submitted By:  C Miller on Oct 16, 2007 Make this area a Favorite What's New   Print a Mini-Guide with routes Add Route  Add Photo  Add Comment  Add Event  Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 100° | 68° 97° | 66° 99° | 68° 99° | 70° 99° | 73°

Chimney Rock-climber on "Pinched Rib".
Photo by Bl...

Description 

The west face of Chimney Rock is the more popular side and gets morning shade and afternoon sun. Ratings range from 5.7 to 5.11b, and there's even an aid climb (A2+) for those into that sort of thing. Recommended routes to do include the circuitous West Face Overhang (5.7), the hand/fist crack of Damper (5.9) and the highly popular dike of Pinched Rib (5.10a).

Safety Warning: The descent route down the "chimney" that splits the formation is filled with huge blocks and debris from a massive rockfall in the summer of 1994 when the route Loose Lips (5.11a) collapsed. While still possible to downclimb the chimney it's best avoid this route to avoid any multi-ton blocks shifting as you weight them.

Getting There 

Approach from points within the Campground or park in the day use parking lot beneath Intersection Rock and walk east to the visible formation.

The Classics

Featured Route For Chimney Rock - West Face

Damper 5.9  CA : Joshua Tree National Park : ... : Chimney Rock - West Face

The obvious wide crack left of Pinched Rib is a good exercise in fist jamming/offwidth climbing. Despite appearances it's better than it looks and the only thing lacking is length. Descend off right (climber's)-same as Pinched Rib....[more]   Browse More Classics in CA

Photos of Chimney Rock - West Face Slideshow

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BETA PHOTO: Chimney Rock-West Face. Photo by Blitzo.	Chimney Rock-West Face. Photo by Blitzo.	Moonrise during the 2012 New Year.