PONDEROSA BOULDERS - Arrow Lakes Bouldering

The Articulator

The view from the top out

A new addition to the GREAT bouldering around Arrow Lakes close to Castlegar. For those who have not figured it out yet, the climbing is sick around these parts. If you like just slightly overhanging tall problems with a great landing in a beautiful setting then you should definitely visit the Ponderosa Boulder. 

Ponderosa Boulder

1 - Pistol Grip Crack - V0 **

Just around the left of the main west face (beside the down climb) is this newly discovered (and awesome) finger crack. A little rattily for most peoples fingers, hence the pistol grip reference. Tricky down low then cruise-y to the top!!

2 - Blackjack Crack - V1 *

Right where the big black slab of rock meets the main face of the boulder is this deep almost off-width crack. Climb it from a low start to an amazing jam up high. It’s cleaner and better that it looks. You could climb the black prow to the left of the crack as a variation. Blackjack Pine is another common name for the Ponderosa Pine.

3 - Tall Timber - V3 **

Just to the right of the crack, start on a nice side pull with both hands and crimp up the technical face to and awesome crack slot (crux) and finish up high and to the right. Flawless moves! Named after a fantastic beer from Mt.Begbie in Revelstoke.

4 - The Great Plains - V3 *

Start as per ‘Tall Timber’ but climb out to the right and into the upper face of  ‘Up Amongst the Pines’, a fine variation. Named after the random grasslands encountered on the approach.

5 - Up Amongst The Pines - V4 **

Start directly in the middle of the tall face with a delicate and thin sequence that leads into some great side pulling and a committing series of crimps way up high.

6 - The Cunning Coyote - V1 ***

Start low on the beautiful diagonal rail and climb straight up the flawless face just right of center. Great holds, stellar movement and probably one of the best highball moderates in the West Kootenay’s. Its super high but everything is there. CLASSIC!!

7 - The Articulator - V2 **

Start this fine addition on the very far right toe of the face. Start seated with a great left hand side pull and a right hand sloper, make some really fun squeeze moves up the arête and eventually transition into the top of ‘Cunning Coyote’ The arête finish goes direct as well and about the same grade (but not nearly as good).

Pistol Grip Crack

The Cunning Coyote