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Elevation: 7,000 ft
GPS: 42.84169, -108.72366
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 2,020,169 total · 18,334/month
Shared By: Tom Rangitsch on Mar 1, 2015 · Updates
Admins: Mike Snyder, Taylor Spiegelberg, Jake Dickerson

Description Suggest change

Lander is home to a number of cliffs dispersed throughout the foothills of the southeastern Wind River Mountains.  Most of the climbing is on Bighorn Dolomite, with a some excellent granite and sandy sandstone as well.  The dolomite varies in quality from very good to very featured and consists mainly of crimps and positive pockets, some being as small as one-finger pockets on the more difficult lines.

It is possible to climb throughout much of the year here. Sinks is the best winter area, with a paved approach and an inversion that keeps the wall toasty when it is freezing in town.  Summer is better spent at Wild Iris and its surrounding crags as they are much higher in elevation, and mainly under snow in the winter. Spring is sometimes great, but often snowy and wet. Fall is the best time for climbing in Lander, with crisp temps, sunny skies, and access to every crag here.

Steve Bechtel's guidebook does a great job of describing the sport routes around Lander and is the best resource for any climber visiting the area.

There are some seasonal road closures and occasional route or crag closures that need to be heeded.  Please check with locals (Wild Iris Mountain Sports, WyoClimbers Advocacy Organization, or forums here) if you have questions about current access to an area.

More Beta Suggest change

Lander is located in central Wyoming, about 5 hours from Denver and 4.5 hours from Salt Lake City.  There is an airport in Riverton, WY, about 25 miles to the east which has erratic commuter service.  It is pretty remote and you will generally need a vehicle to climb here.

Lander is the venue for the International Climbers' Festival, held every summer in mid-July. This grassroots festival is one of the world's longest-running climbers' festivals and is organized by WyoClimbers, a non-profit local climbing organization that supports youth climbing, rebolting/safe anchor initiatives, and climbing access/advocacy in the region.

Gear and guidebooks can be found at Wild Iris Mountain Sports on Main Street in town.

Elemental Climbing and Fitness is the go to place if you need a shower, or want to climb on the rare chance you get rained out. Steve Bechtel's Climb Strong is also a a part of Elemental and one of the world leaders in climbing training.

The local guide service, Wind River Climbing Guides, is available for climbing instruction of all levels at Sinks Canyon and Wild Iris.

Where To Stay

Suggest change

There are numerous places in and around Lander to stay while on your climbing trip.

In town:

City Park- You can camp in the grassy city park for free with a three day limit. Please respect the 3 night limit! 

There are also several Airbnb options, as well as numerous hotels.

Sinks Canyon:

Sawmill Campground- Closest access to the sink and rise of the Popo Agie.

Popo Agie Campground- Closest access to the shady side and hiking trails across the swinging bridge. Yurts are also available to rent.

Sinks Canyon Campground- Closest access to the Main Wall.

Forest Service Campground- This is the only free camping in Sinks Canyon and is subject to winter closures. Driving up the canyon, it is ~1/2 mile past the Missouri Geology Field Camp on the left

These are the campsite fees as of 2020

Off season: Oct 1 -April 30 - $6.00 Residents $11.00 for Non- Residents.

Peak Season: May 1- Sept.30 - residents $9.00 non-Residents $16.00

Wild Iris:

OK Coral- This is the most popular camping at Wild Iris. DON'T DRIVE ON THE ROAD AFTER A RAIN. The dirt road gets really muddy and rutted out when people do this. Don't be an ass. Also use the bear boxes and don't leave food out.

Aspen Glades- Good option for a 2WD vehicles. Don't camp past the fences and pack out your poop! A pit toilet was installed in July 2020 with support from WyoClimbers.

Where ever you end up staying, please be courteous. Pick up your trash, dispose of human waste properly, and reduce your impact.

1,410 Total Climbs

Route Finder - Best Climbs for YOU!

Location: Lander Area Change
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Classic Climbing Routes at Lander Area

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 206
More Funky Than Gunky
Sport
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b
 375
Boob Loob
Sport
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
 444
Claim Jumper
Sport
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b
 318
Gaucho
Sport
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b
 259
The Devil Wears Spurs
Sport
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b
 303
Wotai
Sport
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c
 448
Winchester Pump
Sport
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c
 437
Tribal War
Sport
5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a
 322
Zorro
Sport
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a
 318
Wind and Rattlesnakes
Sport
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a
 243
Hot Tamale Baby
Sport
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a
 197
Diamonds and Rain
Sport
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a
 193
Choke Cherry Eyes
Sport
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b
 148
Court and Spark
Sport
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b
 164
American Beauty
Sport
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
More Funky Than Gunky Sinks Canyon > Camel Jockey
 206
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Sport
Boob Loob Wild Iris > … > 3. Right Side (… > 1. Diamonds in the Rain
 375
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b Sport
Claim Jumper Wild Iris > … > 2. Central (Blo… > 2. Claim Jumper
 444
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b Sport
Gaucho Wild Iris > Zorro Area
 318
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b Sport
The Devil Wears Spurs Wild Iris > Main Wall > C. Wild Horses Wall
 259
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b Sport
Wotai Wild Iris > Erratic
 303
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b Sport
Winchester Pump Wild Iris > … > 2. Central (Blo… > 3. Saddle Tramp
 448
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c Sport
Tribal War Wild Iris > … > 1. Left Side (L… > 2. Tribal War
 437
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c Sport
Zorro Wild Iris > Zorro Area
 322
5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a Sport
Wind and Rattlesnakes Wild Iris > Main Wall > F. Rode Hard Wall
 318
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a Sport
Hot Tamale Baby Wild Iris > Main Wall > D. Hot Tamale Wall
 243
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a Sport
Diamonds and Rain Wild Iris > … > 3. Right Side (… > 1. Diamonds in the Rain
 197
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a Sport
Choke Cherry Eyes Wild Iris > Aspen Glade > Cowboy King Wall
 193
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a Sport
Court and Spark Wild Iris > Lower Remuda
 148
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b Sport
American Beauty Wild Iris > Aspen Glade > Cowboy King Wall
 164
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b Sport
More Classic Climbs in Lander Area »

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