Why Southern Utah Is Heaven On Earth For Rock Climbers

Logically, rock climbers practice their passion mostly in proximity, because scaling rock features in their “own backyard” is easier than financing lengthy trips to experience the world’s best in rock climbing adventures.  But, those who are able to travel find fantastic scenery and challenges which will only sharpen their skills and instill a sense of achievement not felt near their own towns. New rocks, new crags, new monuments, and new vistas beckon rock climbers, and Southern Utah does not disappoint.  In fact, it boasts some of the best variety and beauty on earth for rock climbing.

Saint George, Utah

St. George is tucked away in Utah’s southwestern corner, and surrounding the city is an unbelievable variety of rock features to tackle, which rock climbers could only have dreamed about or drooled over online.  This area possesses better sport-climbing routes than any other place, per capita, in North America.  Red sandstone, limestone, and volcanic black rock fill the landscape. Some of St. George’s favorites are as follows:

Cougar Cliffs, Bluff Street Cracks, Running Scared Crag, Woodbury Road Crags, Snow Canyon State Park, Underworld, Zen Wall, Chuckawalla, Turtle Wall, and Crawdad Canyon.  Snow Canyon is especially breath-taking and rich in challenges at every skill level.

Utah’s Five National Parks

Naming the national parks from Southeastern Utah to Southwestern, they are Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Bryce, and Zion.  All are spectacular, and Zion is the nation’s third-most visited of the hundreds. Not only are Utah’s national parks a geologist’s paradise, but also they are fantastic for hiking, camping, sightseeing, photographing, and yes, rock climbing.  Mother Nature did her best work in sculpting a bevy of gorgeous vistas and rock features that attract rock climbers.

Olympic Rock Climbers

Rock Climbing has finally achieved enough “big boy” status to be an Olympic sport.  Set to debut in the Tokyo Olympics of 2020, rock climbing will no doubt explode in popularity because of television exposure.  The Olympic rock climbing competition will consist of speed climbing, bouldering, and lead climbing. Forty climbers, 20 men, and 20 women, will show their stuff over four days.  Then, the top rock climbers from those early rounds will qualify to compete in the finals round, doing all three disciplines.

Degrees of Difficulty

Rock climbs are normally rated by Class and degree of difficulty.  Class 5 climbs are vertical routes, ranging from 4 to 15 in difficulty, so 15 is the most treacherous.  Class 5 requires both hands and feet to succeed. An iconic hike in Zion National Park is Angels’ Landing, which is Class 4 scrambling.  It climaxes on a steep, narrow ridge.

Why Southern Utah Is Heaven On Earth For Rock Climbers

Article By: Clear Content Marketing