After squamish, skaha is the second largest sport climbing area in british columbia. The rock quality is nothing short of phenomenal, and you will learn to trust even the smallest of holds. The area is very dry and hot during the summer months its very easy for the temperatures to get upwards of 40 deg c. A newer guidebook skaha climbing by marc bourdon, published by quickdraw publications, 2018 is now available and includes all the information in these updates except for the more recent information contained in the new stuff update page. Nov 17, 2014 at skaha hills you are just minutes away from skaha lake. Skaha bluffs lies within the asserted territory of the okanagan nation alliance. Instant pdf generic precreated pdf for skaha you must be logged in to get instant pdfs containing more than 200 routes. Skaha bluffs contains over 1,000 singlepitch face climbs and boasts a warm, dry climate that provides predictable conditions in a. These two incredible areas offer a great contrast desert climbing on gneiss in the interior town of penticton, combined with costal climbing on granite in the lush setting of squamish. Not your average hiking park skaha bluffs provincial park. Skaha rock adventures penticton 2020 all you need to. Coming from penticton, drive towards south main street which will turn into lakeside road.
Choose from half, single or multiday programs for families and novice advanced climbers. Rock climbing adventures at skaha bluffs, skaha bluffs. Most climbs around 65% are sport routes but there are still opportunities for traditional climbing too. Skaha bluffs climbing guide, penticton, british columbia. Our facility is spread over 2,000 square feet to provide you with amazing and thrilling climbing experience. Last summer, when i first started learning to climb in the.
The bluffs at skaha is designed to maximize the natural beauty and character of this scenic penticton site while providing a wide variety of lots with some unsurpassed lake and city view properties that will set the standard for all future developments. Its warm sunny climate and natural beauty is home to more threatened species and habitats than anywhere else in canada. Bc parks have temporarily closed skaha bluffs provincial park to climbing activities, so hopefully by late april we will have a clearer. Skaha climbing quickdraw publications outdoor guidebooks. Skaha bluffs provincial park, penticton, bc, what a place to climb. Will johnson and jonathan vardy from manchester, england were visiting the skaha bluffs for the first time while on a rock climbing tour through b. Resources for sport climbing, trad climbing, bouldering and mountaineering. Why we formed the ever increasing growth and popularity of climbing at skaha has led to wear and tear on the hardware. This makes skaha an ideal spring and fall destination when squamish is too wet and the bow valley is too cold. Skaha climbing ebook quickdraw publications outdoor. Its a sad thing but i suppose at a lot of crags ive been to, things do happen at times, johnson said. Blog its almost easter a skaha guide for spring climbing. Skaha bluffs park management plan british columbia. Skaha bluffs collective is a place for people climbing, hiking and biking at the bluffs to share route updates, videos, photos, snake locations, and other info related to our little peace of heaven.
Like yoga, graceful movement skills are developed in a fun, healthy and supportive, social environment. Lyle ensured we all had the best possible time with a clear instruction and gentle encouragement. Skaha bluffs is a rock climbing area just south of penticton, british columbia, canada on a hillside above skaha lake. Skaha bluffs provincial park penticton all you need to. Skaha bluffs park provides a variety of recreation opportunities including hiking, rockclimbing and wildlife viewing while also protecting habitat for a variety of species at risk. Rock climbing with kids at skaha bluffs provincial park. With many different walls to choose from, skaha bluffs is a phenomenal climbing area for any level of climber. It was my first big climbing destination back in 2009, so i may have a biased opinion. A spectacular new guide to the routes at one of canadas most popular sport. Rock climbing in skaha is the perfect place to try your very first lead.
However, as of november 1, climbers have no access to the bluffs. Rock climbing in skaha, british columbia mountain project. Rock climbing information for british columbia, canada. Two years alone in the wilderness escape the city to build off grid log cabin duration. Worldclass climbing opportunities are found at skaha bluffs though it is important to note that climbing is prohibited in the southern area the section of the park. Project climb rock climbing at skaha bluffs in penticton. Skaha climbing western skaha climbing is a comprehensive guide to the cliffs in pentictons skaha bluffs and is an essential tool for climbers living in bc. Rock climbing opportunities for all levels of experience are offered at skaha bluffs park. The climbing takes place in three parallel canyons. The skaha bluffs are a series of northsouth canyons with cliffs of up to 80 metres on either side, providing some shady respite from the summer heat of the okanagan.
Skaha rock climbs is the best resource for the area. A guide to climbing at skaha bluffs, penticton, british columbia skaha bluffs provincial park is one of the best places to climb in canada. A spectacular new guide to the routes at one of canadas most popular sport climbing areas. As one of the only dry deserts in canada, a visit here could change your image of the great white north. Most of the hikes are threefour hours roundtrip with an elevation gain of about 500 metres from the upper parking lot, and. Or you may just be visiting the area and wish to maximize your climbing time in the skaha bluffs, so by using our local knowledge, well find you the best climbs to match your abilities. The guide covers more than pitches from sport to gear routes, and from be. Skaha bluffs is the rock climbing destination of bcs okanagan region. Skaha climbing is a comprehensive guide to the cliffs in pentictons skaha bluffs and an essential tool for climbers living in bc, alberta and washington. This rockies climbing destination is by far one of my favourite places to visit in the west. Because penticton is in the okanagan valley, it does get quite warm. Skaha bluffs contains over 1,000 single pitch face climbs and boasts a warm, dry climate that provides predictable conditions in a userfriendly provincial park.
Starting in canmore, alberta climb your way north to lake louise before conquering some of the top routes in skaha bluffs and squamish, british columbia. As we proceed to react to the current covid 19 crisis, in order to protect our clients and staffs health, we have currently chosen to suspend our course offerings until april 24, 2020. If you are looking for a climbing gym in the okanagansimilkameen region, hoodoo adventures is the right choice for you. Writers noelle scaggs, james king, john wicks, michael fitzpatrick, joseph karnes, jeremy ruzumna. Skaha bluffs contains over 1,000 single pitch face climbs and boasts a warm, dry climate that provides predictable conditions in a. Our professional association of canadian mountain guide staff utilize. Also skaha boasts some of the best year round climbing. This popular, lowimpact sport will develop strength, stamina and mental clarity, with an emphasis on having fun with likeminded folks at the same time. Skaha bluffs provincial park is located in british columbias okanagan valley, which is known for its relatively warm, dry climate. Because this wonderful place known as skaha bluffs exists in a desert, the days there are usually warm and dry which makes it a great spot for climbing the early and late season while other areas are. We were a family of 4 and a mixed group in terms of ages and experience. Worldclass climbing opportunities are found at skaha bluffs, recreational climbing has been occurring in the area since the 1980s. Skaha is one of the best sport climbing destinations in canada. The surrounding valley is also known for its gorgeous scenery, refreshing lakes, fresh fruit, and.
Skaha bluffs provincial park is great for hiking and rock climbing and located about fifteen minutes south of penticton on the east side of the valley. Best of bc explores the two of the most popular climbing destinations in the province. Enjoy a day exploring with altus mountain guides at the skaha bluffs, and climb outstanding rock of. Climbing gym okanagansimilkameen region hoodoo adventures. This climbing hotspot boasts 66 separate crags and 988 unique climbing routes, 63% of which are sport climbs skaha rockclimbs. This collection on gneiss bluffs is home to over 50 crags, hundreds of high quality sport climbs, and some classic trad lines. Sport climbing predominates, although there are a number of fine gear routes as well. Skaha rock 5day progression yamnuska mountain adventures. Climbing in heat is one thing, but access to the bluffs is a good hike in and can be energysapping, especially with the sun blazing down. The skaha bluffs provincial park entrance which is located just south of penticton, bc, on the east side of skaha lake. Originally published in 1995, sport climbs in the canadian rockies continues to be the quintessential guidebook that both local and visiting climbers reach for when traveling to western canada. Skaha climbing is a comprehensive guide to the cliffs in pentictons skaha bluffs and is an essential tool for climbers living in bc, alberta and washington. It is usually possible to climb at skaha from march to october.
The bluffs at skaha a residential community of the. Skaha bluffs provincial park is a renown rock climbing destination located in the south okanagan of british columbia. Despite this reputation, there are some excellent trad lines here as well. Join us in the beautiful okanagan at skaha bluffs provincial park for a fiveday outdoor rock skills program taught by our professional guides. Previously, climbers gained access to skaha bluffs via a trail and parking lot at braesyde farm.
Skaha bluffs provincial park is a provincial park in british columbia, canada. Description skaha bluffs is the rock climbing destination of bcs okanagan region. It also enables you to book a course date outside of our advertised course calendar. Skaha is the ideal venue for learning all the essential skills required to climb outside. Skaha bluffs provincial park penticton 2020 all you.
Skaha provincial park, a gem in bcs okanagan desert. As if this were not enough, skaha, in terms of terrain, climate and the climbing itself, is so unlike squamish and the rockies it exerts a magnetic draw on people from. Skaha rock climbs skaha bluffs is a very popular semidesert climbing area that is an ecological wonder. Skaha bluffs park watch society is a registered nonprofit society, incorporated september 11, 2015.
Best of bc hedon rock tours rock climbing 2016 tour. Join kyle, an acmg apprentice rock guide, for this once in a lifetime rock climbing trip across western canada. Skaha climbing, the comprehensive guide to the cliffs in pentictons skaha bluffs, is now available as a digital download. The societys purpose is to raise and distribute funds to experienced route builders to offset the material cost of replacing worn and otherwise substandard hardware at skaha bluffs. Notable climbing walls include fortress, red tail, doctors wall, the great white wall and the grand canyon. Skaha has a bit of everything, but its primarily known for its abundance of moderate sport climbs.
Skaha bluffs is a rock climbing destination in bcs okanagan region, just above skaha lake in penticton. Some local climbers continue later and make an early. Skaha bluffs provincial park is one of the best places to climb in canada. Gneiss in nature the bluffs are a sport climbers dream due to the proximity of quality climbs to the parking lot. Skaha has something for every ability and style of climber. Skaha climbing is a fullcolour guidebook and definitive resource for climbers traveling to british columbias skaha bluffs, just south of the city of penticton. A 14year agreement between braesyde farm landowner hugh dunlop and british columbia climbers, allowing parking and access to the skaha bluffs climbing area, has expired. The purpose of the society is to deter auto crime in the skaha bluffs parking lot and inform patrons of the potential of vehicle breakins. Featuring over 2,300 routes located throughout the bow valley, including climbs at banff, canmore, lake louise, kananaskis country and the ghost river area, this new edition features eight. Skaha bluffs provincial park is on the east side of skaha lake, just south of penticton. Rock climbing can be a perfect yoga style activity that is well suited for active seniors. A novice climbers guide to skaha bluffs matador network.
223 998 752 982 1191 1528 535 426 331 1228 1288 387 763 338 132 350 714 519 321 1188 952 1063 827 281 412 785 329 450 972 712 462 1140 463 680