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Northern Formation, The Rock Climbing
Routes in Northern Formation, The
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Big Crack on "North" / "East" Face T,TR 5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b |
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East Face TR 5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b PG13 |
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East Ridge TR 5.4 4a 12 IV 10 VD 3c |
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Equinox TR 5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c |
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Face right of "Big Crack" T,TR 5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b |
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Far Left East Face T,TR 5.5 4b 13 IV+ 11 MS 4a |
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Grovel Groove TR 5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b |
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Sun Slab Center TR 5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b |
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Sun Slab Left T,TR 5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b |
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Sun Slab Undercling T,TR 5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b |
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Up to the Giant Eastern Flake T,TR 5.4 4a 12 IV 10 VD 3c |
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Use onX Backcountry to explore the terrain in 3D, view recent satellite imagery, and more. Now available in onX Backcountry Mobile apps! For more information see this post.
| Elevation: | 2,505 ft |
| GPS: |
37.92913, -122.57716 Google Map · Climbing Area Map |
| Page Views: | 28,256 total · 108/month |
| Shared By: | Aron Quiter on Oct 6, 2002 · Updates |
| Admins: | Aron Quiter, Mike Morley, Adam Stackhouse, Salamanizer Ski, Justin Johnsen, Vicki Schwantes |
Access Issue: Park closed nightly from sunset to 7:00 am
Details
The park is closed from sunset to 7:00 am, so be sure to leave before dark.
Always check the Mount Tamalpais State Park website parks.ca.gov/?page_id=471 for current information.
Always check the Mount Tamalpais State Park website parks.ca.gov/?page_id=471 for current information.
Description
This largest rock at Mt. Tamalpais, The Northern Formation consists of slabby featured volcanic rock with simpler climbing (5.3 - 5.7).
Setting up a top rope on the top of The Northern Formation is simple, as there are tons of large chalk stones and other formations to place slings around.
This rock faces south to northeast, so you will be in the sun most of the day, but in the shade in the later afternoon.
You can walk off any and all routes, which is recommended over lowering due to the jagged nature of the rock. The better walk off heads down the right (looking up) side of the rock, and is also a good way to set up a top rope.
Setting up a top rope on the top of The Northern Formation is simple, as there are tons of large chalk stones and other formations to place slings around.
This rock faces south to northeast, so you will be in the sun most of the day, but in the shade in the later afternoon.
You can walk off any and all routes, which is recommended over lowering due to the jagged nature of the rock. The better walk off heads down the right (looking up) side of the rock, and is also a good way to set up a top rope.
Getting There
Approach time: 10 minutes
From the parking lot, take the "wooden-steps" trail that starts left of the restrooms. Follow this as it gently curves around the mountain, until it makes a sudden 270-degree turn to the right with a 6 to 8 foot boulder in front of you. Here, go straight past the boulder on a climber's path 25 to 30 feet to the top of the formation. A climber's path to the base leads down to skier's/viewer's right.
You can also get a pretty full view of the Northern Formation from all of the other rocks on the east side of the mountain by looking north.
From the parking lot, take the "wooden-steps" trail that starts left of the restrooms. Follow this as it gently curves around the mountain, until it makes a sudden 270-degree turn to the right with a 6 to 8 foot boulder in front of you. Here, go straight past the boulder on a climber's path 25 to 30 feet to the top of the formation. A climber's path to the base leads down to skier's/viewer's right.
You can also get a pretty full view of the Northern Formation from all of the other rocks on the east side of the mountain by looking north.
Classic Climbing Routes at Northern Formation, The
Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
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