Crag Climbing

Easy Crag Climbing 

Multipitch Climbing 

Types of Rock

Climbing Gear 

Warning!

Crag Climbing is NOT feasible or safe for most Scout Units.

Climbing crags requires special training and equipment.  Even with the right training and equipment, climbing has inherent risks.  Without proper training and equipment, climbing crags places you at real risk of catastrophic injury. 

We are lucky enough to have Adults and Scouts with special training and equipment.  This has allowed us to climb many of the crags in Washington and Oregon State.  

Do NOT Attempt Outdoor Climbing without properly Trained Instructors!

Multipitch Climbing

Multi-pitch climbing is the ascent of a rock face, ice wall, or alpine route that is taller than the length of a single climbing rope, typically more than 50 to 70 meters (160 to 230 feet) and requiring the team to break the climb into sequential stages called pitches.

How It Works

Instead of climbing a cliff in one continuous go, a multipitch team moves up the wall using a repeating, systematic process:

• The Lead

  • One climber (the leader) ties into the rope and climbs upward

  • On sport routes, they clip quickdraws into pre-placed bolts

  • On traditional ("trad") routes, they place their own removable gear like cams and nuts into cracks

• Building an Anchor

  • Once the leader reaches a comfortable stance or a designated anchor station (often before the rope runs out), they build a secure anchor system using bolts, rock protection, or a cordelette, and attach themselves to it "in direct"

• Belaying the Second

  • The leader pulls in the slack and belays their partner (the second) up from above

  • As the second climbs, they "clean" or remove the gear the leader placed

• Transition and Repeating

  • Once the second reaches the anchor, the team either swings leads (the second becomes the new leader for the next pitch) or continues in the same roles

  • Cycle repeats until they reach the top of the route

Key Elements of Multi-Pitch Climbing

• Multipitch routes can be done as 

  • Sport (bolted protection)

  • Trad (self-placed gear)

  • Aid Climbing

  • Big Wall Climbing  - when pushed to extreme lengths (over 10 pitches or 300+ meters)

  • Mountain Climbing - when done as part of a summit

• Descent

  • Most teams descend by rappelling (abseiling) down the face using a series of anchor stations

  • Some routes have walk-off descents or even a parking lot at the top

• Skills Required

  • Beyond basic climbing movement, multi-pitch climbing requires specialized rope management, anchor building, route-finding, and self-rescue knowledge

  • Practicing bail plans, extended rappels, and friction hitches (like a third hand) beforehand is essential for safety

Top Multi-Pitch Destinations & Classic Routes

Washington State features world-class multi-pitch rock and alpine climbs across iconic granite walls and alpine peaks.

Index (Upper & Lower Town Walls)

• • Aries (5.8, Trad): A classic introductory multi-pitch crack climb on the Upper Town Wall

  • Davis-Holland / Lovin' Arms (DHLA, 5.10b/c, 7 pitches - Trad): A premier multi-pitch link-up showcasing Index’s signature splitter cracks.

  • Walking Legend (5.10c, 3 pitches - Mostly Bolted): A standout modern line

Leavenworth (Icicle Creek & Tumwater Canyon)

• • Outer Space (5.9, 6 pitches - Trad, 700 ft): One of the most famous and popular moderate alpine-style rock climbs in the state on Snow Creek Wall

  • Tree Route (5.6, 3 pitches - Trad): A great moderate trad climb that can be combined with the Stump Route

  • Condorphamine Addiction (5.10b, 7-pitches - Mostly Bolted): A long, high-quality classic route in Icicle Creek Canyon

Goat Wall (Mazama / North Cascades)

• • Prime Rib of Goat (5.6-5.9, 11 pitches - Fully Bolted): A massive, fun bolted multi-pitch route carved into the towering Mazama granite

  • Flyboys (5.7-5.9, 18 pitches - Fully Bolted, 1,800 ft): Widely recognized as one of the tallest fully-bolted moderate sport-multi-pitch routes in the United States

Snoqualmie Pass & Mountain Loop Highway

• • The South Face of The Tooth (5.4 but some think 5.6, 4 pitches - Trad): A classic, quick-access alpine rock climb just off I-90 near Snoqualmie Pass

  • True Grit on Vesper Peak (5.8, 5 pitches - Mostly Bolted): A direct, scenic alpine route set against dramatic North Cascades backdrops

North Cascades / Washington Pass

• • South Arete on South Early Winters Spire (5.5, 3 pitches - Trad): An approachable alpine rock classic on clean orange-and-grey granite

  • Forbidden Peak (West Ridge) - Trad: 

    • An iconic multi-pitch alpine-rock ridge ascent renowned across North America

    • Mixed rock/snow scrambling along a sharp, exposed ridge

Smith Rock State Park (Central Oregon)

Smith Rock is the premier hub for multi-pitch climbing in the state, offering classic multi-pitch sport and trad routes with sweeping views of the Crooked River and Cascades.

• • Spiderman (5.7, 3 pitches - Trad): One of the most famous and accessible multi-pitch routes in the park, providing fun, iconic climbing on great rock

  • Wherever I May Roam (5.9, 5 pitches - Fully Bolted): A very popular fully-bolted multi-pitch sport climb with enjoyable movement and moderate technical difficulty

  • Voyage of the Cowdog (5.8+, 3 pitches - Fully Bolted): Located on the Picnic Lunch Wall, this multi-pitch route offers massive exposure and a high-altitude feel near the top of the canyon

  • Thin Air (5.10a, 3 pitches - Trad/Mixed): A classic moderate trad/mixed multi-pitch route highly praised by local traditional climbers

  • White Satin (5.9, 3 pitches - Trad): A well-known multi-pitch line prized for its position and sustained moderate difficulty

Easy Multipitch Climbs

Pinto Rock 

• 5,123-foot welded-tuff breccia formation in Washington’s Gifford Pinchot National Forest featuring bolted multi-pitch sport climbs

• Like climbing All Colors at the gym

• Great climb for those new to multipitch

• Parking is at base of climb

• Descent requires a rappel

• Popular Bolted Multi-Pitch Routes

• • Bowling Alley (aka Regular Route) – South Face

    • 5.4, 430 feet (130 meters), 4 pitches (Grade II) - Fully Bolted

    • A very heavily bolted beginner-friendly climb with new bolts and chains at all anchor stations

    • Protection via nuts or cams is rarely needed

  • Cobbles 101 – South Face

    • 5.7, 5 pitches (Fully Bolted)

    • Only very begining is 5.7 and can be stick clipped 

  • Wild Wild West – West Face

    • 5.8, 4 pitches (Fully Bolted)

Leavenworth & Central Cascades

• Canadians on Horseback (Icicle Buttress)

  • Type & Grade: 4-pitch Fully Bolted, 5.6 (300 ft)

  • Fully bolted route built specifically for people new to multi-pitch climbing

  • Features low-angle grey rock, a grassy ledge walk, and a fun golden slab on the final pitch

  • Descent requires a rappel straight down the route

• The Tree Route & Stump Route (Eightmile Buttress)

  • Type & Grade: 3-to-7-pitch Trad, 5.6 (Grade II)

  • The Tree Route offers 3 pitches of clean, low-angle crack and dihedral climbing

  • You can extend the day by linking it into the adjacent 4-pitch Stump Route for more 5.6 mileage

  • You can walk off the top of The Tree Route and Stump Route linkup and the top of the Stump Route 

• R & D (Icicle Buttress)

  • Type & Grade: 4-to-5-pitch Trad/Sport mix, 5.6

  • A classic, approachable moderate line right off the road with straightforward protection and great rock quality

  • You can walk off after finishing 

Snoqualmie Pass & Alpine Climbs

• The Tooth – South Face

  • Type & Grade: 4-pitch Alpine Trad/Scramble, 5.4 (some moves or variants felt to be up to 5.6)

  • One of the most popular beginner-friendly alpine rock climbs in the Cascades

  • Located about an hour from Seattle, it delivers 4 pitches of easy stone leading to a true summit with expansive views

  • Class 4 scramble down the North Ridge or rappelling the south side