ROCK CLIMBING

Lander is world famous for its rock climbing. While sport climbing reign king nearest to town, there are many world class traditional climbs further back in the Wind River Range. Within a few hours of Lander, there are thousands of sport climbs, hundreds of boulder problems, and numerous sought after alpine objectives. If you are looking for personal advice on how to plan the best trip possible, ask one of our employees who will gladly recommend climbing areas, favorite climbs, or classic must-do climbs in the area. A video history of Lander climbing can be found HERE.

Wild Iris- This is what you came here for, and you will be pressed to find a more beautiful climbing area. The climbing is so good we named our shop after it! Perfect lines of pockets up clean bone white dolomite surrounded by fields of wildflowers and quaking aspens. Todd Skinner and friends put Lander on the map in 1990 and its popularity has grown ever since. Grades range from 5.4-5.14d and the best season is around May through October.

Sinks Canyon- One of the best limestone sport climbing crags in the country, and only 10 minutes from Lander. You can find everything from hand swallowing pockets in the Killer cave to perfect overhanging crimps on the Addiction Wall. Rain or shine, hot of freezing, there is something to climb in the canyon. The rock type changes from sandstone to limestone to granite the higher you go offering a plethora of opportunity. Grades range from 5.2-5.14d and the best season is year round.

Fossil Hill- A once obscure destination is now one of Lander’s premier crags. is about 1000’ higher than Sinks, the routes are longer than than Wild Iris and feature more pockets than Sinks. No other crag hosts such a concentration of classic routes than the main wall of Fossil Hill. Grades range from 5.2-5.14c and the best season is around May through October.

Wolf Point- One of the most spectacular cliffs in the country and boasts one of the highest concentrations of difficult routes in the country. Climbing at this cliff is no joke and is guarded by a long bumpy drive and a 45 minute hike down and up a steep canyon. Grades range from 5.10c-5.15a and the best season is around May through October.

The Rock Shop- While the bouldering scene in Lander is not as prominent as the sport climbing, the Rock Shop holds some world class granite boulders. Tucked under the pine trees at the very tip of the Southern Wind River Range you will find a maze of boulders begging to be climbed. Grades range from V0-V14 and the best season is around May through October.

Cirque of the Towers- The Cirque of the Towers is the most climbed and most photographed area of the Wind River Mountains. Two of the "Fifty Classic Climbs" are jewels of the Cirque: The Northeast Face of Pingora (IV, 5.9) and the east ridge of Wolf's Head (III, 5.6). Grades range from 4th Class-5.13 and the best season is around June through August.

Gannett Peak- Gannett Peak is Wyoming's tallest mountain (13,804 ft) and a highly sought after alpine objective. It is a beautiful alpine summit surrounded by jagged granite mountains, glaciers, and high plateaus. It is considered the second most difficult “highpoint” in the USA and ropes, crampons, ice axes and mountain skills are essential. The best season is around June through August.