The Main Wall

Enjoying the excellent moderate "Hip Boot Romance"...

Description 

The Main Wall is the centerpiece of The Wild Iris climbing. Nearly 100 routes grace the varied, bulging dolomite, with grades ranging from 5.6 to 5.14b. This truly is a crag for climbers of all ability. Some of The Wild Iris' most classic hard routes lie only a few yards from some of the best 5.10 sport routes in Wyoming. The rock here is generally excellent, with beautiful pockets and the occasional edge. This cliff offers every angle from slab to horizontal roof. The routes are generally on the short side, but long, sustained routes can be found on the far east end of the cliff at the Cowboy Poetry Wall. Most of the routes are bouldery & powerful for their grade.

The cliff faces due South, and so is in the sun most of the day. There are crevices & buttresses that provide shade in key locations along the cliff. A beautiful pine & aspen forest grows along the base offering welcome shade & shelter from the incessant wind. All of the typical crag hazards exist, especially rattlesnakes & lightning. This area is extremely exposed to electrical storms, and retreat to the parking lot requires a heroing dash along the stark plain. The weather can change in a heartbeat, and approaching storms are often obscured from view.

From Left to Right, the crags are:

Rising From the Plains
Rodeo Wave
Wild Horses Wall
Hot Tamale Wall
Five Ten Wall
Rode Hard Wall
Cowboy Poetry Wall

Getting There 

From the parking lot, follow the main track west toward the cliff. After ~15 minutes, he trail dips down into a broad valley. At the bottom of this valley a trail forks to the right. Turn right here & follow the trai into the woods for all crags except Rising From the Plains & Rodeo Wave. The trail meets the cliff at The Five Ten Wall. Head right for Rode Hard & Cowboy Poetry, left for all others.

To reach Rising From The Plains & Rodeo Wave, the most expediate option is to continue West on the main track until you are directly south of the far left end of the Main Wail. Turn right here and head north to Rising From the Plains.

The Classics

Featured Route For The Main Wall

Caballero Del Norte 5.11c  WY : Wild Iris : ... : Hot Tamale Wall

Caballero Del Norte is clearly one of the best 5.11s on The Main Wall, offering continuous climbing on excellent rock. Despite its intimidating appearance, this is a great warmup for the harder lines, or a worthy objective in its own right. This line is rather exposed and bakes in the sun most of the day, so get here early.A few trivial moves lead to the low bulge. Make a big span to slopey pockets in the horizontal break. This move is not as...[more]   Browse More Classics in WY

Photos of The Main Wall Slideshow

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The Main Wall from near the parking lot.

Fall foilage at the Main Wall.