Skaha Bluffs

Aspect(s) : All     Altitude : 550 m

Approach up hill

More than 500 routes, from 5.1 to 5.15c , spread over many crags   Bolting : traditionnal climbing, sport climbing

Max Height : 80 m.

Rock : gneiss.    Characteristic(s) : steep wall , vertical , slab .    Type(s) of holds : crimps, cracks, slopers.

Further information(s) : Skaha is a true gem in the crown of BC rock rock climbing. Over 650 routes on some outstanding edgy gneiss in the warm Okanagan Valley.

Sport climbing predominates, although there are a number of fine gear routes as well. The Skaha Bluffs are a series of north-south canyons with cliffs of up to 80 metres on either side, providing some shady respite from the summer heat of the Okanagan.

The edgy, featured nature of the rock has resulted in vertical walls with the potential for routes almost anywhere.

Directions : The Skaha Bluffs are located on a series of cliffs on the east side of the Okanagan Valley, just outside of Penticton. Although the climbs are on crown land.

Currently, one of the local farms has provided a (pay) parking lot, and access. The only access to the Bluffs is from the Braeside Parking lot at the end of Valleyview Road. There's now two parking lots, one lower and one upper.

From South Main street in downtown Penticton, turn east onto Crescent Hill road (at the north end of Skaha Lake), then turn south onto Valleyview road at the top of the hill. Follow this road to the very end (it gets very narrow and winding), until you reach the parking lot, marked by a sign and message board.

Web site(s) : http://skaha.org

Area : Canada, British Columbia, Okanagan-Similkameen, Kelowna, Penticton.