Colorado·United States
Photo: Massimo Catarinella · Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
The Black Canyon of the Gunnison drops more than 800 m in sheer walls of dark gneiss and pegmatite so narrow that parts of the floor see little sunlight. Its routes are long, committing and remote, from the moderate Maiden Voyage to the classic Scenic Cruise on the North Chasm View Wall.
In season: May–Jun, Sep · Peak: May, Sep
Descents by steep gullies to the river, then long days of trad climbing back out with loose rock, poison ivy and few escape options. Summer is too hot; spring and autumn are the seasons.
The moderate route, and the introduction to the canyon
Thirteen pitches on the North Chasm View Wall
Long, committing and famous for loose rock
Register for a free wilderness permit at the North or South Rim ranger station before climbing. Climb Maiden Voyage first to learn the canyon, and only attempt the Scenic Cruise with solid multi-pitch trad experience.
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