| Syncline Ridge Mountain/Rock |
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| Syncline Ridge   | 
| Page Type: Mountain/Rock Location: Alberta, Canada, North America County: Canada Activities: Sport Climbing Season: Summer | Page By: SElliott Created/Edited: Apr 29, 2008 / May 1, 2008 Object ID: 399810 Hits: 330 Loading... Page Score: 0% - 0 Votes Loading... Vote: Log in to vote |
Overview Syncline Ridge is found east of Jasper very close to the well known climbing area of Hidden Valley. The trailhead and part of the approach are the same. The wall is split by two gulley systems making three distinct buttresses; left, middle, and right. The cliff is approximately 120 meters at its highest. The wall has a mix of slabs and steeps and has some of the nicest limestone in the park. Currently there are only a few completed climbs but there are great and abundant new route possibilities. This area gets great sun but can also be quite windy. Care should be taken when rappelling to avoid getting the ropes stuck.
Getting ThereStart as for Hidden Valley. After the first little canyon(about 10 minutes), follow goat trails up and right to a ledge system at the base of the wall. The approach takes 45 minutes to an hour.
Red TapeAdd Red Tape text here.
CampingAdd Camping text here.
External LinksAdd External Links text here.The RoutesThe Golden Goat 5.11 A0, 90 meters
Sean Elliott, Dana Ruddy, and David Marra, 2007
This three pitch sport route is found on the middle buttress approximately 50 meters to the left of the obvious clean slab and left facing corner of the climb Reynolds Rap. Look for some yellow streaked overhangs about 25 meters up and a line of bolts. I will add a single bolt to protect the easy moves and short scramble to a large belay ledge about 15 meters up. There is a single belay bolt under the roof. The rock low down for much of the wall is fractured and loose so be careful.
Gear; a single 60 meter rope and 10 quick draws, plus slings for stations.
Pitch 1; 5.11b A0, 10 bolts
Start with a hard and awkward pull over a roof beside a right facing corner. Gain a small ledge and make technical moves up and right to another small stance. Here, below the bulge, the rock is really devoid of any descent holds for a few feet. Either aid your way past two bolts or try and free this boulder problem. The climbing past this section is beautiful and the rock is stellar. Head up and left to a nice belay ledge.
Pitch 2; 5.9, 6 bolts
Climb the immaculate grey slab past six widely spaced bolts to a station where the slab meets the steep wall above.
Pitch 3; 5.11a, 8 bolts
Climb the beautiful streaked wall above on great rock. I hope to extend this climb up the final slab for another pitch this spring. Rappel the route.
Reynolds Rap a.k.a.Raven's Call 5.10a, 100m
Matt Reynolds and Kim Prevost, 1999?
This climb started it all and thanks to Matt for recognizing the great potential of this cliff. One of the more obvious features, this climb is located right of center on the Middle Buttress, where a clean grey slab meets a left facing corner with a yellow wall on the right. "The general consensus is sustained 5.10a on the crux pitch. A very worthwhile route with great views and the best limestone you could ask for. The second pitch is quite elegant" Matt Reynolds.
Pitch 1: 15m 5.6: From the old snag right of the corner climb up and left through some loose rock. Pass a piton to a mini tree and a large detached block gaining a ledge. Traverse left to a belay below the corner. Bolt and piton anchor.
Pitch 2: 35m 5.10a: Stem and layback up this strenuous corner, passing 3 bolts and 2 pitons. A committing roof near the top (crux) finishes the pitch off with another bolt at the top. Move left to belay on a ledge with a tree. Bolt and piton anchor.
Pitch 3: 30m 5.8: Move up and right on face holds past a piton and a bolt gaining the main groove. Pass a short overhang to a big ledge. Step right to a bolt and gear belay or continue to the top. Save a #2 Camalot for this belay.Pitch 4: 20m 5.8: Step left and climb up passing an overhang. Bolt and piton belay on the left.
DESCENT:
Rappel the route (2 50m rappels) and retrace your steps down the goat trails.
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