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Elevation: 993 ft
GPS: 37.64235, -83.71178
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 9,730 total · 60/month
Shared By: Jason Halladay on Oct 17, 2010 · Updates
Admins: Shirtless Mike, DrRockso RRG, Luke Cornejo, Billy Simek
Warning Access Issue: Recently Purchased in 2017 by the RRGCC. DetailsDrop down

Description Suggest change

So you find yourself at The Motherlode only to discover it's crazy crowded and quite the scene. It's fun to watch the scene unfold for a while but you prefer climbing away from crowds, dogs running all around and photographers rapping in from above.
If this description fits you, you might be interested in The Unlode.
Sure, it's a bit of a bushwhack to find and only a handful of routes but you're already parked at The Motherlode and heck, your friends may still be up at the 'Lode whipping all over their projects so you've got time to kill.
A short 6 minute hike will get you to some fun, steep routes where you're almost guaranteed to not run into anyone else.

The area gets afternoon shade.

Getting There Suggest change

From the parking at The Motherlode, head back up the hill you drove down to get to the parking area. Walk up the road for a couple minutes and keep a sharp eye out for a very overgrown old road on the left. If you end up questioning yourself, "is this really an old road?", you've found it. Bushwack along this road for less than a minute to where it appears to peter out. Keep going. (You did remember to wear pants, right?) Traverse along the now very faint old road to cross a bit of a drainage. Look for a cairn shortly thereafter and head uphill for a minute or so. Keep looking to your right and you'll see the wall. Beat a path straight uphill to the wall and you'll be at the base of the two 5.11 routes.
Total approach time from the parking at The Motherlode is approximately 7 minutes.

Potential

Suggest change
There is quite a bit more potential for routes in this area if you're feeling saucy. Some lines will require some vine clearing but would clean up nicely I believe. The wall is pretty much directly below the road you drive in on.

26 Total Climbs

Route Finder - Best Climbs for YOU!

Location: The Unlode Change
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Classic Climbing Routes at The Unlode

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
 8
Underdog
Sport
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a
 5
Undeterred
Sport
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 17
Unfulfilling
Sport
5.10- 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 10
Underestimated
Sport
5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b
 6
Undetermined
Sport
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
 12
Unbridled
Sport
5.10c/d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b
 4
Undaunted
Sport
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b
 10
Unsung
Sport
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c
 8
Unworthy
Sport
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c
 7
Undermined
Sport
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Underdog
 8
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b Sport
Undeterred
 5
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a Sport
Unfulfilling
 17
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Sport
Underestimated
 10
5.10- 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Sport
Undetermined
 6
5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b Sport
Unbridled
 12
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b Sport
Undaunted
 4
5.10c/d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b Sport
Unsung
 10
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b Sport
Unworthy
 8
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c Sport
Undermined
 7
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c Sport
More Classic Climbs in The Unlode »

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