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Elevation: 922 ft
GPS: 43.80352, -71.8404
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 48,842 total · 231/month
Shared By: Patrick Bagley on Oct 28, 2006
Admins: Jay Knower, M Sprague, Lee Hansche, Jeffrey LeCours, Jonathan S, Robert Hall

Description Suggest change

At the cross-roads of many of Rumney's upper crags, the compact upper and lower walls of Darth Vader offer routes ranging from 5.4 to 5.12. This crag is a popular destination for intermediate climbers and a heavily traveled warm up area.

The main attraction to this crag are arguably THE two best 5.9s at Rumney: Yoda (5.9) and Obi-Won-Ryobi (5.9+). These side-by-side climbs at "Lower 'Vader" offer stellar moves and are literally right off of the trail en route to Waimea and the other upper crags. If there is not a line for these climbs, it is hard to find excuse not to run up them! Lower Vader is also home the crag's only 5.12s, which are seldom done and often overlooked.

Upper Vader is a good choice for intermediates and groups, as there is a 5.4, 5.6, 5.7, and 5.8 next to each other on the far right end of the wall. The left end of Upper Vader offers two short and pumpy climbs: Three Easy Pieces (5.11a) and Easter Squal (5.10d).

this video has most of the routes at Darth Vadar on it.
youtube.com/watch?v=9x5nmid…

Getting There Suggest change

Park in the far lot, walk down the road, start hiking at the woods at utility pole #37. Follow engraved wooden signs for "Waimea" or "Darth Vader." Hike up the progressively steepening trail while passing a few large boulders on the left side of the trail. The first crag you get to will be Lower Vader. To get to Upper Vader, walk to climber's right of Lower Vader and take a left up a steep trail. Take the next Left possible, which may or may not be obscured by a fallen tree.

9 Total Climbs

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Classic Climbing Routes at Darth Vader

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
5.8+ 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 195
The Sand People
Sport
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 520
Yoda
Sport
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 65
Darth Vader
Trad
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a
 462
Oby-won Ryobi
Sport
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b
 74
Jedi Mind Tricks
Sport
5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b
 16
Storm Troopers
Sport
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
The Sand People
 195
5.8+ 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Sport
Yoda
 520
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Sport
Darth Vader
 65
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Trad
Oby-won Ryobi
 462
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a Sport
Jedi Mind Tricks
 74
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b Sport
Storm Troopers
 16
5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b Sport
More Classic Climbs in Darth Vader »

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