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Via Aqua
5.8 YDS 5b French 16 Ewbanks VI- UIAA 15 ZA HVS 4c British
Avg: 3.1 from 39
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Routes in Upper Falls Trail and Columbia Point
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Mindahoonee Wall T 5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c |
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Montgomery Cliff S 5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a |
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Via Aqua T 5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c |
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| Type: | Trad, 500 ft (152 m), 4 pitches, Grade III |
| FA: | Dave Rearick, Herb Swedlund, Glen Denny, Dick McCracken, Steve Roper- April 1960 |
| Page Views: | 4,448 total · 66/month |
| Shared By: | Steven T on Oct 31, 2019 · Updates |
| Admins: | Mike Morley, Adam Stackhouse, Salamanizer Ski, Justin Johnsen, Vicki Schwantes |
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Access Issue: Latest updates on closures, permits, and regulations.
Details
Please visit climbingyosemite.com/ and nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/… for the latest information on visiting Yosemite, including permits, regulations, and closure information.
Yosemite National Park has yearly closures for Peregrine Falcon Protection March 1- July 15. Always check the NPS website at nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/… for the most current details and park alerts, and to learn more about the peregrine falcon, and how closures help it survive. This page also shares closures and warnings due to current fires, smoke, etc.
Yosemite National Park has yearly closures for Peregrine Falcon Protection March 1- July 15. Always check the NPS website at nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/… for the most current details and park alerts, and to learn more about the peregrine falcon, and how closures help it survive. This page also shares closures and warnings due to current fires, smoke, etc.
Description
Via Aqua is a fun, moderate, and mildly obscure route that climbs to the left of Upper Yosemite Falls up a series of corners and chimneys. It is a bit dirty and has some loose sections. The climbing is enjoyable and tops out at the railing of the lookout over the falls. You gain a ton of exposure on the approach ledges and have excellent views the entire time.
The route breaks up nicely into 4 pitches with a 60m rope. We did it in 3 pitches with some simulclimbing and rope drag. The first two pitches felt like mostly 5.7/5.8 with a steep section of flakes before gaining a large ledge. A few pins and a cool antique bolt can be found in the first few hundred feet. Traverse right across the ledge to climb the final chimney/corner up to a large tree and 4th class. This section can be broken into two pitches or easily simulclimbed with the follower walking across the ledge. Once you're past the large tree, easy terrain leads to the falls lookout on the right.
The route breaks up nicely into 4 pitches with a 60m rope. We did it in 3 pitches with some simulclimbing and rope drag. The first two pitches felt like mostly 5.7/5.8 with a steep section of flakes before gaining a large ledge. A few pins and a cool antique bolt can be found in the first few hundred feet. Traverse right across the ledge to climb the final chimney/corner up to a large tree and 4th class. This section can be broken into two pitches or easily simulclimbed with the follower walking across the ledge. Once you're past the large tree, easy terrain leads to the falls lookout on the right.
Location
Getting to the start of the climb is a bit of an adventure in itself. Hike about 2/3 of the way up the Upper Yosemite Falls trail until you see a prominent ledge system to the right. As of October 2019 you step over a dead log at a switchback and there are cairns marking the initial approach. From here you traverse across an exposed ledge system (class 3/4) to reach the base of the obvious left-facing corner system.
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