Keystone Canyon  Photos:  Recent | Best | Popular Elevation:  400' Page Views:  814. Good page?    Administrators:  Jared LaVacque, Tom Erickson Submitted By:  Greg Sievers on Mar 27, 2011 Make this area a Favorite What's New   Print a Mini-Guide with routes Add Route  Add Photo  Add Comment  Add Event

local resident

Description 

between 12 and 20 east of Valdez, Alaska is the Keystone Canyon. also known as Mecca to ice climbers.
while skiing seems to be the major winter draw to this area, the big multi-pitch ice routes have been drawing customers since the mid-70's. Ice climbing festivals started here in 1983 and much of the activity was fueled by the late Andy Embeck.

Getting There 

fly to Anchorage. catch a RT 45 minute flight with ERA for about $250 or do the 5-6 hour drive from Anchorage. hundreds of ice routes abound; some to the west in Mineral Canyon are walking distance from downtown.

The Classics

Featured Route For Keystone Canyon

Green Steps WI5  AK : Anchorage & South Central I... : ... : Keystone Canyon

The classic ice line in Valdez!First climbed by Lowe and Weiland on New Year's with a bivy at the second pitch cave. Each pitch is long, 50-60 meters each, but the first and second pitches have about 40 feet of deep and steep snow to slog through at the top. Each pitch is a broad curtain of ice and many variations do exist, so pick your line and go for it. Also, each pitch is seperated by a snow patch, so it's easy to identify how the pitches are laid out. ...[more]   Browse More Classics in AK