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Ravens Crag Guide

A Crag Guide gives an extensive view of all sub areas and climbs at a point in the index. It shows a snapshot of the index heirachy, up to 300 climbs (or areas) on a single web page. It shows selected comments climbers have made on a recently submitted ascent.

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Contributors

Thanks to the following people who have contributed to this crag guide:

Jeffrey Richard Hunston Thelonius Pope Clara M Evan W Kynan Shurniak claire xian Hunter Shurniak

The size of a person's name reflects their Crag Karma, which is their level of contribution. You can help contribute to your local crag by adding descriptions, photos, topos and more.

Table of contents

1. Ravens Crag 30 routes in Crag

Summary:
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Seasonality

All Sport climbing

Lat / Long: 51.161280, -115.589405

summary

On Sulphur Mountain overlooking Banff and the Vermillion Lakes. The cliff is in the shade due to it's NW facing exposure. There is currently only a handful of routes, but their quality are excellent.

description

In between steep and face climbing, the beauty silver, blue and black streaked walls of Ravens is nothing short of stunning. The premier crag of Banff rivalling Acephale for quality of limestone.

access issues

A large portion below Ravens is closed off to all people, due to wildlife. Please use only the entrance and exit trail.

approach

Park at Cave and Basin's new car park (2015). Walk past the information centre, follow the over road up his slightly and walk right around the large Cave And Basin Mikarty barracks. Past the Cafe follow the small asphalt trail known as Sundance Canyon trail. 500ms past the Sundance Canyon map on the right, is a small trail on the left hand side with a large log across the entrance. Follow this trail for another 500ms then look for a Cairn. The trail to Ravens starts here in the left. 20-30minutes straight uphill from this trail. Stick to the path which has plenty of Cairns as to not disrupt the wildlife corridor. Approach is 2.5km's with 300m's elevation. 30-40mins from car to wall. Enjoy!

where to stay

Banff town.

ethic

Lots of Retrofitting and building currently underway. Be vigilante of new routes or building underway. The crag is slowly turning into all glue in's.

history

The legend- Peter Arbics stomping grounds from the 90's, with most routes named after Edgar Allan Poe poems reiterating the gothic theme of the shady wall. The Prowl project looks to be a contender for one of the hardest 14's in the Valley. Respect the wildlife and leave draws on Projects.

1.1. Main Arena (Steep Wall) 10 routes in Cliff

Summary:

Lat / Long: 51.161105, -115.590761

description

The main wall. Called the Main Arena because of the small proximity of climbs and entertainment when hard sends are going down.

RouteGradeStyleSelected ascents
1 The Masque P1

A tough opening move gains a crack in a left facing corner. From the 3rd bolt, step left and execute cool moves between steep jugs that leads to a power draining, sequential crux. Steady now

FA: Peter Arbic, 1993

Maint: Jimmy Blackhall, 2016

5.12a Sport 15m, 7
2 The Masque P2

The infamous Masque. Continue past the anchor of P1 by launching directly into a nails crux that utilizes tiny crimpers. Followed by sustained climbing that leads to a powerful and technical boulder problem way off the deck, that guards the anchor.

FA: Peter Arbic

FA: 1994

5.13a Sport
3 Telltale Heart P1

Fun technical 5.11 edge climbing punctuated by nice buckets lead to a great crux before the anchor. *Completely retrobolted (June 2016) by James Blackhall and Greg Tos

FA: Peter Arbic

5.11d Sport 12m, 4
4 Telltale Heart P2

From the anchors of P1, tackle the powerful head wall to the burly roof. Once over the roof a never ending sea of technicalities awaits, for some time. Hang on and enjoy the view! Absolutely classic and one of the best in the country.

FA: Peter Arbic

Maint: Greg Tos, 2016

5.13a Sport 29m, 14
5 Telltale Heart Pt 2 Alt finish

An alternative finish to T.T.H pitch 2, branching right near the top, with a few harder moves. This route seeps the most on the wall and has been described by visiting rockstar Ondra as “unfortunate”.

FFA: Peter Arbic

5.13c Sport 35m
6 Heart Shaped Box

Climb the funky corner system with a few crimpy moves, until you encounter a technical crux up the top. Shared anchor as Telltale pitch 1.

FA: Jimmy Blackhall, Apr 2017

5.11c Sport 12m, 5
7 Fight Club P1 / The Prow

Climbs the striking beauty Prow/Arête black and silver stripped. Starts up on a small ledge. Hard crimps and sloppers lead to a vicious Boulder problem. Part 1 of the Prow Projext has been sent in July 2016 by Alex Megos at the grade of 5.14b/c.

Set: Peter Arbic

FFA: Alex Megos, Jul 2016

5.14c Sport 15m, 8
8 Fight Club P2

CANADAS FIRST 5.15! Which took Megos 7-8 visits to Ravens for. Easy to spot walking into the crag, as the streaked nature of the line, makes it look like a massive, silver lighting bolt, into the cliff. Extremely delicate moves off micro holds, that look like nothing but dimples of limestone, go up the stunning, sharp streaked prow. The extension above the Orginal Prow Project that was bolted by Peter Arbic. Sonnie Trotter added 10 bolts creating Alex Megos' insane and mega steep, test piece. Another hard Boulder problem (Vhard) consisting of bad slopping dimples and tiny beyond micro-edges and a mad dash to the anchor!

Set: Sonnie Trotter, Jul 2016

FA: Alex Megos, Aug 2016

5.15b Sport 25m, 2, 18
9 Tuckers Proj

Project right of Megos’s “Fight Club” lives it’s evil brother.

Set: Sam Tucker

5.15 SportProject
10 Fun Club

Right of Fight Club P1, starting atop of “Fun Club Ledge”, climbs this power endurance- test piece. Begin with a hard dyno, into a rest, then firing a technical traverse into a sequential pillar. Make sure you didn't get pumped because the true crux lies above with optional big frequent flyers and a stroll to the scenic views at the anchor.

Set: Greg Tos, 2017

5.13a Sport 30m

1.2. Wild Thing 3 routes in Area

Summary:

description

Far lookers right

approach

First walls on approach

RouteGradeStyleSelected ascents
1 Wild Things

This route climbs the sky blue stone in the middle of the short wall. Climb the line of bolts by starting next to the two "eye" pockets. Slab and face climbing on water worn baby blue rock leads to a mini roof. The anchor is directly under the large roof slightly right.

FA: Jimmy Blackhall, Jun 2016

Set: Jimmy Blackhall, Jun 2016

5.10a Sport 10m, 5
2 Apollo

The crux comes at the 2nd bolt, so stick clip is recommended. Once off the bouldery beginning, easy well protected slab climbing finishes up a solid refrigerator block.

FA: Jimmy Blackhall, Jun 2016

Set: Jun 2016

5.10c Sport 18m, 9
3 Arte Zeus

This adventurous climb, ascends a long, light-blue streak via the anchor of Apollo or from traversing in from The Club's ledge. (Steel chain with bolts added as a easy grip along to Apollo’s Anchor). Technical climbing up 5 perma-draws, gains an airy, blunt arête scattered with flakes. Keep your head about you, locating the holds over the bulge, facilitating the escape of the arete, onto the bullet stone above.

FA: Jimmy Blackhall, 2018

5.11c Sport 34m, 2, 13

1.3. Solid Wall 11 routes in Sector

Summary:

description

The Center wall at Ravens. The Bulges shape the wall like Bells. Also a poem of Edgar's is named "The Bells"

RouteGradeStyleSelected ascents
1 House of Usher

Excellent stone, leads up to a small ledge before moving left and up on small edges, sidepulls and a cool sloper. A fingery, balancey, powerful crux through the corner ends with fun climbing on positive holds over the roof, with a “old school” styled finish.

FA: Peter Arbic, 1994

Maint: Jimmy Blackhall, 2016

5.12a Sport 14m, 6
2 Tales of Mystery

Start as for House Of Usher, but trend right after the first bolt, to a no hands rest at the second bolt. Power through a crux at the first bulge, to a quick shake, then another 5.12 crux through the second bulge using hard to locate holds. More technical, powerful climbing gains a last quick shake before a finish with a tricky bouldery move at the anchor. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dklKQz3eGNg

FA: Peter Arbic, 2001

5.12d Sport 14m, 7
3 Shame P1

This is the extension to House of Usher. Climb up right to a shake right of the third bolt. Then cut left and head up the black rock through big moves with a building pump.

Pitch 2 is a 13C above.

Put a long extendo on the last bolt of House of Usher and don’t clip anything to the anchor.

FA: Mason Tessier, Aug 2020

5.13a Sport 45m, 2, 11
4 Shame P2

The continuation of Shame P1.

FA: Mason Tessier, Aug 2021

5.13c Sport
5 House In The Sea

Link up. Do HOU’s crux through the corner, clip the last draw and head left to the last bolt and anchor of City In The Sea.

FA: Jimmy Blackhall & Francois Bergeron, Jul 2018

5.12a Sport 11m, 6
RouteGradeStyleSelected ascents
6 City In The Sea

Technical climbing weaves up the beauty, grey streak, left of House Of Usher. Put your thinking cap on for this one! The intricate, friction-dependent boulder-problem crux makes this route really worth doing! Steady to the anchors now.

Set: Jimmy Blackhall & Tak Abe, 9 Aug 2016

FA: Jimmy Blackhall, 2017

5.12d Sport 12m, 6
7 The Sleeper

A powerful boulder problem off the ground leads to sustained technical puzzles on interesting holds. Watch the anchor clip!

Set: Jimmy Blackhall & Peter Arbic, Oct 2016

FA: Braden Bester, Jul 2017

5.12b Sport 13m, 7
8 Bittersweet Symphony

Same start as "The Sleeper", ontop of the small cave, but cuts left up the beauty black streak. Boulder problems, gain a half decent shake and a burly pull over the "Wave". Make sure you have gas in the tank, because the sequential, technical top can feel hard after the power draining bottom. Shares the same anchor as Overlooking Paradise.

FFA: Jimmy Blackhall

Set: Nov 2016

5.12c Sport 14m, 8
9 Evening Star

The project line of Bolts above Bittersweet and Op's anchor. Hard future proj!

5.14+ SportProject 30m
10 Overlooking Paradise

First crux requires a blend of tech and power to overcome. The second requires nothing but burly strength.

5.12d Sport 13m, 7
11 Nevermore

This pitch gains a high position on the cliff and follows a very attractive grey steep corner feature that's begging to be climbed. Begins next to a small cave with a Boulder problem straight off the ground followed by technical dihedrals. The upper pitch has spectacular climbing and a total must do for the grade. The midway ledge has a new anchor ONLY for lowering if you have a 60m rope- do not stop here.

FA: peter Arbic, 2001

Maint: Jimmy Blackhall, Jul 2016

5.12b Sport 36m, 2, 21

1.4. Crystal Cave 3 routes in Sector

Summary:

description

The Horizontal cave.

RouteGradeStyleSelected ascents
1 The Hermit

Start on the right side of the cave by the JEB graffiti. Climb straight up to holds lead out of the cave. Although it's short, it packs a punch!

5.13b Sport 12m, 10
2 One Robe, One Bowl

Start just to the right of the mouth of the cave. Big powerful moves lead out the roof to a shared anchor finish with The Hermit.

FA: peter arbic

Maint: Jimmy Blackhall, 2017

5.12c Sport 14m, 7
3 Unwritten Law

Project to the right of One Robe One Bowl beginning in the corner and climbing up the left trending crack. Will be a great addition to the crag once complete. Only random bolts so far

Set: James Blackhall, Aug 2017

5.11 SportProject 25m

1.5. Plutonian Shore Wall 3 routes in Cliff

Summary:

description

The Multi Pitches

RouteGradeStyleSelected ascents
1 Plutonian Shores

See map attached.

10 draws, 6 long slings, 60 m rope

  1. Welcome to Texas, 5.5, 20m

  2. The Battle of the Bulges, 5.7, 55m

  3. The Castling Move, 4th, 10m

  4. Left Left Right, 5.8, 20m

  5. A Murder of Crows, 5.8, 50m

  6. Billy the Destroyer, 5.9, 30m

  7. The Cooler, 5.7, 35m

FA: Banff Climber's Club, 2012

5.9 Sport 220m
2 Lost Lenore

Starting from the Lenore Traverse (traversing in from the main crag) following 5 bolts on 5th class. Begin the P1 after- 10B 40m P2- 10C 25m P3- 10C 30m the "crux" pitch follows a small Corner/Seam up vertical rock. Sustained 10B/C but doesn't warrant 10D. P4- 5.7 35m

5.10c Sport 7
3 The Raven

The Raven (fully retrofitted in 2014). P1 - 11B 45m long sustained 5.10+ and 5.11- moves on bomber slab. Many technical engaging moves throughout. P2- 11B 30m a slab crux half way up the pitch on blank notmuchness. Grippy rock! P3 - 10A 20m more friction climbing with a crux on runnels. P4 - 5.7 35m and topout.

FA: Jim

5.11b Sport 120m, 4

2. Index by grade

Grade Stars Name Style Pop Area
5.9 Plutonian Shores Sport 220m 1.5. Plutonian Shore Wall
5.10a Wild Things Sport 10m, 5 1.2. Wild Thing
5.10c Apollo Sport 18m, 9 1.2. Wild Thing
Lost Lenore Sport 7 1.5. Plutonian Shore Wall
5.11b The Raven Sport 120m, 4 1.5. Plutonian Shore Wall
5.11c Heart Shaped Box Sport 12m, 5 1.1. Main Arena (Steep Wall)
Arte Zeus Sport 34m, 2, 13 1.2. Wild Thing
5.11 Unwritten Law SportProject 25m 1.4. Crystal Cave
5.11d Telltale Heart P1 Sport 12m, 4 1.1. Main Arena (Steep Wall)
5.12a The Masque P1 Sport 15m, 7 1.1. Main Arena (Steep Wall)
House In The Sea Sport 11m, 6 1.3. Solid Wall
House of Usher Sport 14m, 6 1.3. Solid Wall
5.12b Nevermore Sport 36m, 2, 21 1.3. Solid Wall
The Sleeper Sport 13m, 7 1.3. Solid Wall
5.12c Bittersweet Symphony Sport 14m, 8 1.3. Solid Wall
One Robe, One Bowl Sport 14m, 7 1.4. Crystal Cave
5.12d City In The Sea Sport 12m, 6 1.3. Solid Wall
Overlooking Paradise Sport 13m, 7 1.3. Solid Wall
Tales of Mystery Sport 14m, 7 1.3. Solid Wall
5.13a Fun Club Sport 30m 1.1. Main Arena (Steep Wall)
Telltale Heart P2 Sport 29m, 14 1.1. Main Arena (Steep Wall)
The Masque P2 Sport 1.1. Main Arena (Steep Wall)
Shame P1 Sport 45m, 2, 11 1.3. Solid Wall
5.13b The Hermit Sport 12m, 10 1.4. Crystal Cave
5.13c Telltale Heart Pt 2 Alt finish Sport 35m 1.1. Main Arena (Steep Wall)
Shame P2 Sport 1.3. Solid Wall
5.14c Fight Club P1 Sport 15m, 8 1.1. Main Arena (Steep Wall)
5.14+ Evening Star SportProject 30m 1.3. Solid Wall
5.15b Fight Club P2 Sport 25m, 2, 18 1.1. Main Arena (Steep Wall)
5.15 Tuckers Proj SportProject 1.1. Main Arena (Steep Wall)
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