Vermont Rock Climbing

At first blush, Vermont is something of the shy wallflower at the Northeastern climbing party—but with the appropriate introduction, you’ll quickly see the potential within.  Numerous schist crags pepper the Green Mountain’s flanks, offering those new to rock climbing a perfect environment to explore all the sport has to offer--and some difficult test pieces for the higher-end climber.  Our favorite top-roping crags include Lower West Bolton, Upper West Bolton, and Lake Dunmore.

Those looking for heightened multi-pitch challenges will be surprised to learn what’s available as well.  Because these opportunities are so little known, they offer a special serenity.  Our favorite multi-pitch destinations include:

Smugglers Notch—Quartz Crack (5.8+) serves up 3 pitches of excellent face and crack climbing.  Elephant’s Head Buttress (5.9+) pushes you to the max, with finger, fist, and stacking moves that will move your crack climbing into another league.

Wheeler Mountain—Tucked up in the Northeast Kingdom, on this granite dome high-quality friction climbing is the name of the game.  Our favorite is The Great Route.  The name gives it away; several pitches of 5.8 crack and 5.10c friction culminate in the masterpiece, a perfect leaning open-book corner of 5.10b climbing bliss.  VJ (5.7) offers a similar style of climbing in the same pristine setting, looking out to the shores of Lake Willoughby. 

When you're ready to book your Vermont Rock Climbing Adventure dates, please go to our Scheduling page!