Logan Canyon is a hidden treasure
For many, Logan canyon holds many hidden adventures. For rock climbers, there are close to 370 different climbs to challenge even the most skilled climber. Which climb is right for each climber who takes to the canyon?
For those seeking a good location to go, there are many places to turn for help when looking for the right rock to climb.
One such place is the Logan Canyon Climbs by Tim Monsell, a guide that details each of the locations available in the canyon. The guide also gives the rating of difficulty for the various climbs.
“The climbing scene here is just great,” said Black Tingey, a Utah State University junior.
Tingey has been climbing for more than three years. His hardest climb to date is a 13a. He said the ratings start at a 5.1 (the easiest climb), to a 14b (the hardest).
He enjoys sports climbing, and also likes to boulder.
There are no ropes involved in bouldering, Tingey said.
“Movement is a lot more powerful,” he said.
One reason he likes bouldering is the time it takes. A climber can make it up a boulder in a few minutes and then head home or onto the next climb. Unfortunately, Tingey said, there are not many opportunities to boulder in the Logan area.
Sarah Bair, 17, has been climbing for about 2 1/2 months. She bought shoes and started climbing.
“I’ve always had friends who have done it. I thought it would be fun,” she said.
Bair said, for beginners, it is best to top rope. She said she likes to use Second Practice Wall.
Cody Sorensen, a sophomore at USU, explained that top rope climbing is the safest way to climb. With both climbs, a climber secures the rope at the intervals where the bolts are in the rock. In top rope, the climber never falls because the rope is secured at the top of the rock, he said.
Sorensen has been climbing for six years. “I think my dad introduced me to climbing to keep me out of trouble,” he said.
He suggests that climbers new to the area go to Fucodial Quartzite.
“There is a lot of variety. A lot of different people can climb there – all levels,” Sorensen said.
The entire area is good for climbing, he said.
“I like sport climbing,” Sorensen said. “You can climb for a couple of hours and then go home.”
He finds the adventure and challenge the most rewarding part.
“It’s a big rock in front of you and you have to find a way to the top,” Sorensen said.
Tingey also suggested Quartzite for climbers.
The short approach and close proximity to the road make it a good area to climb.
“They are classic Logan Canyon climbs,” Tingey said.
He also likes an area called the Betagraph.
“I think the rock there is better,” he said.
Tingey said, many of the local climbers are willing to help those who are new to the area or to the sport.
They are willing to help and give advice.
Tingey pointed out that the area called China Wall has some of the hardest climbing in the nation.
Monsell has been active in helping to bring awareness to the community about climbing in Logan.
On September 8, he said there will be an Adopt a Crag Day in the canyon. This is a national day for climbers to help clean the climbs and groom trails.
The day is in conjunction with the Access Fund which promotes good use of the climbing areas.
Monsell said, the fund also helps to protect climbing areas and keep them open.
The events will begin with work on trail maintenance at 8 a.m.
“Hopefully, we will get enough people we can improve the trails to help prevent erosion as such,” he said.
In the afternoon, clinics will be given in the areas of safety, environmental impact and beginners climbing, Monsell said.