Hi, I’m Chris Rubens.
I moved to Revelstoke from Canmore and the Rocky Mountains in search of deeper more plentiful snow, which is exactly what I found. What I didn’t realize by moving here is that it is one of the best summer spots in Canada. With infinite activities close to town and a great summer climate, it is hard to go wrong. I can easily say that I came to Revelstoke for the winter but stayed for the summers. Out of the many activities that I like to do in the summer in Revelstoke, rock climbing is one of my favorite. Whether it’s sport climbing at one of the many crags close to town or climbing one of Rogers Pass’s many alpine routes there is something for everyone.
As a skier I have always looked for something that compares to skiing in the summer. A lot of skiers turn to biking, which I do love, but I see more and more of us turning to climbing. I think the mental head game that is required to climb fills the void we feel in the summer. Overcoming fear and moving gracefully over the rock is something that I have become quite addicted to in the summer.
While I really enjoy all of the climbing crags here are a couple of my favorite Revelstoke rock climbing areas around town:
Begbie Bluffs
You really can’t go wrong here with over 20 different crags and many different routes that vary from slab climbing to overhanging jugs. My two favorite Revelstoke rock climbing crags are Raptor Wall and Rabbit Wall. Raptor wall has a lots of climbs across a broad cliff ranging from 5.8 to 5.13. Highly recommended are Rain Dance, a (5.10a) traverse under the big roof, Honeycomb Kid (11a) just to the right. Forty Something(10b) is a great 2 pitch warm up(walk off or 2 25M rappels), Flashdance just to left is a 4 star 11a. There are some great 5.8’s and low 10’s scattered all over this wall.
Upper Blanket Canyon
This is one of the more beautiful places to climb in Revelstoke with some great climbs on really good rock. The Blanket Arete (2 pitch 10d) is a great climb with an outstanding position. Undercover (10C) is arguably the best 5.10 climb in Revelstoke, 30m of pure goodness! If you are up at the arete, all the 11’s to the climbers left are fantastic and the 5.9 “Calm and Easy”, to the right is excellent especially if done in one long pitch. Looking for something a little harder, head down to the lower Canyon and jump one of the 12’s at Canyon Wall.
Waterworld
This is a truly unique wall with all the climbs leading up from just above the water line of Lake Revelstoke. You have to rappel down this crag or access it from the bottom via boat. Climbing any of the great routes here above the sparkling clear water is an incredible experience.
If you are looking for something a little more adventurous the Victor Lake Wall is highly recommend. If Alpine is the ticket to your heart, head to Rogers Pass - Sir Donald is a true Revelstoke rock climbing classic.
Big thanks to the Revelstoke rock climbing route developers, the Revelstoke Climbers Access Society and all the climbers working hard to put up new routes around here.
For more info check out Revelstoke Rock Climbing or grab the Revelstoke Rock Climbing Guide Book at Valhalla Pure Outfitters Revelstoke.