If rock climbing is the name of your game, Priest
Lake offers a wide range of climbing sites to challenge the novice
as well as seasoned veteran climbers.
World
famous climber John Roskelley had his first big climb at Priest Lake's Chimney
Rock. As he tells it, the first time he realized that one could
actually die climbing was on the east face of Chimney Rock. He was
climbing a layback flake that was too strenuous of a location to stop
and implant a piton. Roskelley continued climbing. His arms tired,
he lost his grip and began to slide down the flake. He was headed for
a disastrous 80-foot fall when the corduroy of his pants luckily snagged
on the flake and stopped his fall. The nervous Roskelley quickly inserted
a piton and clipped into it. Such are the challenges that await the
experienced climber at Priest Lake!
Chimney Rock is a destination climbing area that draws climbers from throughout
the United States as well as from around the world. It is not unusual to hear
German, Spanish or other foreign languages at the base of the climb. There are
over 20 different routes that lead to the top of Chimney Rock. These routes range
in difficulty from 5.3 to 5.11. The least difficult route was first climbed in
1934. The following year, Chimney Rock was soloed (climbed without the aid of
a rope) by an ambitious local climber wearing '1935 high tech' tennis shoes!!
A
Chimney Rock climb is an all day outing. The approach hike takes approximately
two hours each way. Most climbing routes will require 4 to 5 hours on the rock.
If you plan to climb Chimney Rock, it is advisable to obtain a copy of the book
Idaho Rock. This book is an excellent source for route information. It is available
for purchase at REI or Mountain Gear, both located in Spokane, and at the USFS
Priest Lake Ranger District office.
In addition to Chimney Rock, other climbing areas are available in the Priest
Lake area. One of the most popular and readily accessible climbing areas is Granite
Pass. This pass is located 14 miles north of Nordman on USFS Road 302 - one mile
north of the Roosevelt Grove of Ancient
Cedars / Granite Falls attraction area. The road passes through rock cliffs
that range up to 50 feet high. Easy top rope or lead climbs can be accomplished
throughout the cliffs on both sides of the road. Routes range in difficulty from
5.5 to 5.11. Limited nearby parking is available.
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