The Bat Caves (B'ham Crags)

Overview

The Bat Caves (the crags at Oyster Dome) area got it's name from a rare breed of bat that lives in the caves here. The cliffs here are the largest cliffs on Chuckanut Mountain and in the Bellingham area. The climbing is excellent despite friable holds here and there

Routes at the Bat Caves range from 5.4 top rope problems to multi-pitch 5.10+ trad to burly 5.12d overhanging sport routes. Most sport routes are 5.10 or harder.

Getting There

• Take Exit 240 (Alger)
• Head west off the exit for .4 miles and turn left on Barrel Springs Rd
• Turn right
• follow the road 1.6 miles until an obvious left turn with a gate
• Follow the road 2.2 miles and park at the Glider Launch Parking Area
• Hike North from the parking lot on the PNW Trail
• In .5 miles stay straight on the trail instead of swithbacking to the left
• Follow the trail 2 miles following signs to the Bat Caves
• Stay on the trail if you want to access the top of the cliffs

The hike takes about 40 minutes.

Main Walls

There are six main areas at the Bat Caves:

The two most prominent walls are the 200' Samish and San Juan Walls, both really the same wall but an unmistakable overhanging arete seperates them, the San Juan wall is North (left). These walls hold the Crown jewels of the Bat Caves. The Samish wall has Meltdown 5.12c the prominent overhanging arete, and Hanging Loose 5.10+ an obvious 200' three pitch crack. The San Juan Wall has a self titled 5.11+ 200' two pitch sport route.

• The Samish Wall has multiple sport and trad lines, most at the 5.10 level, and is the main climbing area at the Bat Caves.



• The San Juan Wall has it's two pitch line and a 100' left leaning trad line, but not much else.



• Nutcracker Corner is located to the right of the Samish wall (closest to the trail to the top of oyster dome). It has two 100' 5.7 trad routes and a 5.11d 50' sport route.



• The Triangle is in front of the Samish Wall. It is self-explanatory to find, it's mostly bouldering but could be top roped.



• Slip'n'Slab is located in front of the San Juan Wall, diagonal from the arete of the Samish wall. This block offers fun top-roping for beginners.



• The Upper Tier Hiking is accessed by hiking a steep trail right of Nutcracker Corner. This wall has a collection of sport routes from 5.8-5.12a.



• In The Trees wall is located to the left of the Upper Tier and has fun sport and top-roped climbing from 5.8-5.10a, this is a very popular wall and not as intimidating as other walls here.

The hike in from the glider launch takes about 40 minutes.

Though this area can be seepy there are routes here that are dry year round.

For more information consult The Bellingham Rock Climbing Guide by Jason Henrie

San Juan Wall Routes

Wall Street 5.7 trad 100'
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San Juan Wall 5.11+ bolts 200'
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Samish Wall Routes

Meltdown 5.12 c bolts 65'
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Apple Maggot Quarantine Area 5.9 trad 80'
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Termites 5.10c/d 7 bolts 80'
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Chocolate Chipmunk 5.11a 6 bolts 85'
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Porcupine Can't Climb 5.10b mixed 80'gear to 3"
Thin face clmbing through two bolts leads to an exposed middle section where gear to 3" can be placed. Rock can be chossy, fun climb

Hanging Loose 5.10+ trad 200' 3 pitches gear to 5"
Obvious natural line, big gear can be placed up high.
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Kris's Crack 5.8 trad 60' gear to 3"
A fun but short hand crack. this route is on the far right of the Samish Wall and is easy to see. Clip up a ramp, where the real climbing begins, lieback and jam the crack the the anchors on a sloping ledge at the top, fun climb.

Motherload 5.11c 5 bolts 40'
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Nutcracker Corner

Nutcracker Corner 5.7 trad 100'
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Nutcracker Arete 5.7 trad 100'
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Tresbonne 5.11d 5 bolts 50'
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The Upper Tier

SOUTH FACE


The Dilemna 5.10a 2 bolts 30'
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Even Steven 5.8 4 bolts 60'
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San Juan Arete 5.10a 4 bolts 60'
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WEST FACE


Skunk Cabbage 5.11c 4 bolts 60'
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West Face Unnamed 5.10d 3 bolts 45'
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Quivering Sphincter 5.11b/c 3 bolts 30'
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Scenic Cruise (aka Diarrea) 5.12a 5 bolts 50'
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The American Triangle 5.10d
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In the Trees

Pocket Pool 5.9 4 bolts 40'
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Dinner Plates 5.8 4 bolts 40'
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Power Scrub 5.10a 3 bolts 35'
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Images

View The Bat Caves (B'ham Crags) Image Gallery - 13 Images