South Wall  Photos:  Recent | Best | Popular Page Views:  1,388. Good page?    Administrators:  Aron Quiter, M.Morley, Sam Vanderhyden, Tom Erickson Submitted By:  Aron Quiter on May 16, 2004 Make this area a Favorite What's New   Print a Mini-Guide with routes Add Route  Add Photo  Add Comment  Add Event  Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed 64° | 27° 66° | 32° 73° | 34° 70° | 27° 63° | 27°

Description 

The South Wall at Big Chief contains about 15 climbs from 5.10a to hard 5.11 on vertical to overhung terrian. Climbing on the leftside of the wall contains more difficult routes that involve pulling over a roof about 15 feet up, and simpler terrian above. These routes should be stick clipped, as often the crux will be below the first bolt.

Righside routes are on vertical rock with intermittent small roofs.

The South Wall faces mostly west, and will be in the sun all afternoon.

Getting There 

Approach time: 20 - 35 minutes.

From the parking lot, head down the main path to the west, which consists of a former gravel road that has large trees cast through the center of it at the parking lot to ensure that people can no longer drive to the former lot.

After .6 miles of gentle dirt road, you will come to the former lot. From here head uphill for about 50 vertical feet on the narrowing trail to a fork. At the fork, you should head right, and this will take you up to the north pass.

From the north pass, hang a left around the rock, and this will take you into the center wall area. Go past the Center Wall to the South Wall, which is another 250 yards.

There is another approach / exit trail that takes you more directly to the South Wall the splits of the trail to the north pass and goes over the south pass, but this trail isn't as established, involves a bit of bushwacking, and doesn't realistically save much (if any) time.

To take this trail, from the old parking lot look for a trail moving up the hill and left heading to the south pass. This trail will pass the backside climbs, and puts you on the summit between the South Cave (on your right) and the South Buttress on your left. The South Wall is downhill and right of the South Cave.

The Classics

Featured Route For South Wall

Live Wire 5.11c R  CA : Tahoe Vicinity : ... : South Wall

This is the second from the right route in the distinct cave section of the South Wall, and certainly seemed like a one move wonder climb to me. Until I fell on the hard face climbing that's part of ? (.10d) next to it on the shared bolts leading to the top anchor. The middle section of this route is simple, and taking a rest is advisable.The crux of the route is undoubtedly around the first bolt, and stick clipping this bolt is a good idea. Once over the first roof, climbing is simple, until...[more]   Browse More Classics in CA