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SLC guidebook

Original Post
Tanner Dayley · · Bountiful, UT · Joined Sep 2017 · Points: 0

I'm sure it's been asked before. If you could point me in the right direction, I'd appreciate it.
I just moved to Bountiful and am working a day job. I get off at 5 and I have weekends. I'm looking for a guidebook that would include areas closer to me than not. I can make it down to Provo area on weekends, but for evening TR soloing, is there a guidebook with info on places in Davis county?
Thanks! 

Nik Benko · · Salt Lake City · Joined Jan 2014 · Points: 0

I'm not sure about Davis county but this is the best book for Salt Lake County.  http://www.pullpublishing.com/books-1/a-granite-guide . It doesn't cover Big Cottonwood Canyon, but it's worth the price for all that it does include. 

Jaron a · · SLC · Joined Aug 2015 · Points: 100

The granite guide is incredible, but most of the climbing covered in it is more central to salt lake city.
The old ruckman guide may be closer to what you're looking for.
https://www.amazon.com/Rock-Climbing-Wasatch-Range-Regional/dp/0762727306

However, I dont think that it or any other book will have much on Davis county.

Scott Miller · · Ogden, UT · Joined Jun 2019 · Points: 2

For a bit further north (Box elder / weber / morgan co) there is the Ogden guide book. i haven't got a copy of it yet, but have been told it's decent.

https://www.amazon.com/Ogden-Area-Climbing-Guide-Brigham/dp/189254038X

Jaden Aland · · Riverton, UT · Joined Sep 2017 · Points: 56

Talk to the dudes at IME in Millcreek. They have a plethora of books and beta. 

Charlie S · · NV · Joined Aug 2007 · Points: 2,415

Despite the rocks you see in Davis county, there is a depressing lack of much that's worthwhile.  Farmington crag is an option and its info is on Mountain Project.  To my knowledge, that's about it.  I've scoped the hikes around here and driven to the top of Bountiful peak and all I've found is chunks of very hard choss.

Now for the books, the Ogden guidebook is the most current guidebook for Weber county.  There is an updated "Schoolroom" sub-guide by Colby Wayment, I think available as a print-out from the Ogden Front.  A bunch of new development has happened in Taylor Canyon by Travis Larsen.  I don't know if it's made it to MP yet.

The SLC guidebook collection is a bit of a mish-mash.  Here's my opinion:
1 guidebook to rule them all: Wasatch Climbing by the Ruckmans (published 1998!).
1 guidebook to rule Ferguson through Lone Peak: A Granite Guide.  Who likes quartzite anyway?  Photography is incredible throughout, and is inspiring.
Big Cottonwood Rock Climbs by Tony Calderone was recently published as a field guide.  What it lacks in detailed description it makes up for in picture topos and documentation of many new routes not in the Ruckman guidebook.

I personally use a combination of all 3 guidebooks for SLC climbing, and then take the most pertinent one with me to the crag.

Of note: when the Ruckman guidebook came out, its detailed sketch topos of climbs and cliffs were cutting-edge for the time.  In many ways, these sketches are still superior to many photos.

Tanner Dayley · · Bountiful, UT · Joined Sep 2017 · Points: 0

This is incredibly helpful, thanks!! I went with the Wasatch book. I'm hoping that, in time, I'll get the granite guide and some more for BCC! Thanks for all the comments and help!! When weather improves, I'll surely reach out for partners! 

Scott Miller · · Ogden, UT · Joined Jun 2019 · Points: 2

Hit me up if you're looking for a partner in the area once the snow melts. Message me here or find me on Facebook.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Northern Utah & Idaho
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