Canadian Rock Climbing Areas near Cranbrook, BC

Local Eastern BC Climbing Crags Add Diversity to Climbing in Canada

Jan 30, 2009 Alli Rainey

BC climbing isn't all about Squamish climbing. Lakit and Saint offer rock climbers the opportunity to experience more of the variety that Canadian climbing has to offer.

In addition to its famed Squamish climbing, British Columbia is also home to several smaller Canadian climbing areas, including Lakit and Saint. These two local areas, both situated less than an hour from Cranbrook, BC, give rock climbers the option of spending a few hours or even a few days experiencing some different varieties of Canadian rock climbing.

BC Climbing: Lakit

Situated right by Fort Steele, BC, Lakit climbing is a mere 15-minute drive from the bustle of Cranbrook. The peaceful lakeside setting features a stunningly scenic Rocky Mountain backdrop, an extremely short and nearly flat approach, and free camping in the parking area. Lakit climbing is best in spring and fall. As the cliffs face south, sunny winter days can also make for decent climbing temps.

The character of Lakit climbing tends to involve long reaches between slopey holds, with some juggier outings as well. The angle varies from vertical to horizontal, with the majority of climbs falling somewhere in between these two extremes. The rock is quartzite, with distinctive lines of features and few-to-no intermediates to help out the shorter folk. Routes vary in length from 50 to 80 feet.

Lakit’s 65 routes favor those seeking to climb in the 5.10 to 5.13 range, with a handful of easier and harder routes as well. Recommended routes include the following:

Below 5.10: Boot Camp (6)
5.10: Kamikaze (10b)
5.11: Bubble Wrap (11b)
5.12: Air Mail (12c)
5.13: Mayday (13a)

BC Climbing: Saint

Getting to Saint involves a 20-mile drive from Marysville, BC toward Saint Mary’s Lake — about a 40-minute drive from Cranbrook, BC. Saint climbing sits perched just above gorgeous Saint Mary’s Lake, in the shadow of the Purcell Mountains. An extremely short but steep approach leads to the cliff, while camping (both free and paid) is available near the lakeshore. Saint climbing is best in spring and fall. The south-facing cliff catches shade too early to make it worthwhile in wintertime.

Saint climbing features mainly less-than-vertical crimp-fests with smeary feet, along with several vertical and slightly overhanging routes. The main slab of gneiss is about 110 feet tall, with six routes reaching near the top of the wall. Other routes range from 40 feet to 100 feet, with most of the routes falling in the longer range.

Saint’s 32 routes are mostly 5.10 to 5.12, along with a few easier and harder climbs. Recommended Saint climbing routes include the following:

Below 5.10: Climbers’ Hands and Hard-Boiled Eggs (8)
5.10: The Story (10c)
5.11: Divinity (11b)
5.12: Get ‘er Done (12a)
5.13: The Last Crusade (13a)

Discover Canadian Climbing near Cranbrook, BC

The local BC climbing areas of Lakit and Saint both offer worthwhile Canadian climbing experiences for rock climbers visiting the area or traveling through on their way to check out Squamish climbing. As an added bonus, rock climbers needing a quick tune-up after climbing or before driving home can schedule an appointment with one of nearby Kimberley, BC’s tremendous alternative health practitioners.

Guidebooks to both areas are available for purchase for $5 each at Cranbrook’s High Country Sports, where rock climbers can also find any additional climbing/outdoor supplies they may need. High Country Sports also has guidebooks and information about other local Canadian climbing areas that rock climbers might be interested in exploring.

The copyright of the article Canadian Rock Climbing Areas near Cranbrook, BC in Rock Climbing is owned by Alli Rainey. Permission to republish Canadian Rock Climbing Areas near Cranbrook, BC in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Rock Climbing in Canada near Cranbrook, BC: Lakit	Lakit Climbing Includes Horizontal Roof Climbs	Air Mail (12c), a Recommended Lakit Climb
Saint Climbing Features a 110-Foot Slab of Gneiss	Saint: Canadian Climbing in a Lovely Setting