Looking for somewhere to climb in the summer? Here are our top summer bouldering destinations for you to choose from.
Summer Bouldering Destinations:
- Rocky Mountain National Park, CO
- Tahoe, CA
- Leavenworth, WA
Alpine Bouldering
Climbing in the summer usually means you are going to need to head into the alpine. The alpine is a harsh place to climb in the summer. If you head there, be prepared for more extreme conditions and harsher weather patterns. It can be much more physically demanding than climbing in the desert in the winters. The amount of hiking and lack of oxygen is very taxing on the body. Make sure to listen to your body and take as many rests as you need
Things you are going to want to bring:
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Lots of food and water:
- Don’t let the elevation make you forget what’s important: your health! You’ll need more water and calorie-rich food than usual at higher elevations. The good thing is that as soon as it starts to get dark, all of those pounds will fade away since they won’t be added on top anymore, so don’t sweat it if you’re worried about carrying extra weight in your pack for a while.
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If there is a lake, bring a water filter:
- If you are worried about hiking up tons of water, look to see if there is an alpine lake near where you are climbing. Please bring a water filter to lighten up the load, and fill it up when you get to the lake.
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Rainjacket and warm clothes:
- The day starts warm and dry, but then the clouds roll in––the temperature drops dramatically. It starts pouring rain without warning! You’re stuck out there with shorts and a t-shirt wondering what you thought when you left your house this morning. Avoid these situations at all costs by packing clothing for any weather situation that might arise.
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Sunglasses and Sunscreen
- Exposure to the high-altitude atmosphere of mountains means that UV rays reach a much higher intensity, and there’s not enough tree cover or shade for protection.
Rocky Mountain National Park, CO
Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the most popular alpine bouldering destinations for rock climbers. Many pros live nearby to climb in this classic area, and with good reason! The rock here is a form of gneiss that offers many diverse climbing spots, including Emerald Lake, Moraine Park, Upper Chaos Canyon, and Lower Chaos Canyon (where there’s still room to develop more routes).
RMNP is located outside of Estes Park, CO, and is open year-round. There are tons of summertime gems to check out in RMNP. With summer comes an endless amount of classic moderates and hard projects. The summertime temperatures average 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and cool to around 40 at night. The weather here can be extreme, so make sure to plan for all conditions. All though it may start sunny in the morning, rain may be just around the corner.
Classic Climbs
The Kind V5
T0mmy’s Arete V7
Whispers of Wisdom V10
Tahoe, CA
The Tahoe region’s rock climbing is a perfect introduction to alpine bouldering. There are few areas better equipped for beginning climbers than the Lake Tahoe area, which features over 9,200 problems in 75 different spots– many of them documented by Dave Hatchett with his guidebooks. Access is simple, with easy hikes from the road up to boulders and crags; beta is abundant, with locals happy to share their secrets; and summer temps in Tahoe average a balmy 68 degrees.
Classic Climbs
The Nose V4
Campfire Arete V6
Girls on Film (Sit) V9
Leavenworth, WA
Leavenworth, WA, is a top summer bouldering destination. This small but lively Bavarian town features numerous summer activities such as cliff jumping, mountain biking, rock climbing, and more. And the town is surrounded by beautiful forests and mountains, so there’s still plenty to do without even leaving Leavenworth!
If you’re a climber and are looking for the perfect destination to get away from it all, Leavenworth is your spot. With over 1000 boulder problems set along stunning riverside cliffs with breathtaking views of snow-capped mountains in every direction, this small town offers some of North America’s best climbing spots. But what sets apart these glorious rocks? It’s their unique mix of quartz batholith that can be bomber but often has random schist veins making them challenging!
Classic Climbs
Sleeping Lady V2
The Real Thing V4
Pimpsqueak V8/9
Conclusion
I hope you enjoyed perusing these three of my favorite summer bouldering destinations. Next time you’re planning a trip, be sure to include at least one or two on your list! Don’t forget to stock up all your bouldering gear! Which ones did we miss? Please share this blog if you enjoyed the read!
