HomeClimbing3-Way Climax

3-Way Climax: A Technical Sport Climb on Naked Grotto’s Vertical Canvas

Whitehorse, Canada
crimps
overhang finish
side-pulls
single pitch
sport climbing
Length: 59 ft
Type: Sport
Stars
Pitches
1
Location
3-Way Climax
Aspect
South Facing

Overview

"3-Way Climax delivers a compact burst of technical climbing on Naked Grotto’s steep vertical face. With sharp, crimpy moves leading to a demanding overhang finish, this single-pitch sport climb rewards precision and power amid the wild Yukon landscape."

3-Way Climax: A Technical Sport Climb on Naked Grotto’s Vertical Canvas

Perched within the stark beauty of Naked Grotto on White Mountain, the 3-Way Climax route offers a compact yet demanding challenge for climbers hungry for precise movement and sustained focus. This 59-foot sport climb unravels over a single pitch that's packed with technical sequences and a finishing overhang that tests endurance and finger strength. From the ground, the wall rises sharply under a cool northern sky, its rock cool to the touch yet unforgiving as it demands commitment on every move.

The climb begins with a series of delicate crimps, requiring steady footwork on a subtly textured face. These opening moves ask you to dial into balance and finger contact, setting the tone for the route’s rhythm. Progressing leftward on a slab, you’ll encounter a brief reprieve where stemming technique offers a chance to settle your breath and prepare for the next push. This moment is crucial — stamina fades quickly if you don’t take advantage of these small rests.

Continuing up and right, the holds shift to side-pulls that invite you to engage your core and maintain body tension while the angle tightens. As the overhang approaches, heart rate spikes and forearms fire — the anchors await, but the final dynamic move to a prominent horn demands an explosive finish and precise coordination. Latching this feature feels like seizing control over the wall’s last challenge, a payoff to the sharp endurance required all along.

Protection comes from eight well-spaced bolts crowned by chain anchors, allowing for confident clipping sequences but rewarding focused awareness on gear management. Despite the route’s brevity, each section feels distinct and layered, combining the rawness of exposed sport climbing with moments to breathe and reset.

Naked Grotto itself is a rugged outdoor enclave that welcomes climbers to its vertical stages amid the quiet vastness of Yukon Territory. The area’s latitude gifts climbers long daylight hours in summer, and the rock’s northeast-facing wall finds shade during the hottest periods, making late morning or early afternoon ideal for ascent. Access trails are mostly straightforward though rocky underfoot, requiring sturdy shoes and good approach planning.

Whether you’re looking to sharpen your crimps, hone balance on slab, or push through an overhung finishing move, 3-Way Climax promises a focused climb with hands-on engagement. It’s a route that demands respect for technique and timing, and offers a satisfying reward to those ready to rise to its challenges.

Climber Safety

The overhanging finishing move requires controlled power and precise clipping. Fatigue can lead to missteps, so be sure to manage your pump early, and double-check that all gear clips are secure before committing to the horn at the top.

Route Details

TypeSport
Pitches1
Length59 feet

Local Tips

Approach trail can be uneven—wear sturdy footwear and watch your footing.

Start climbs mid to late morning to avoid damp rock on shaded faces.

Bring finger tape and a small brush to clear holds if needed.

Warm up on nearby easier routes before tackling the overhanging finish.

Route Rating

Difficulty
5.11a
Quality
Consensus:The 5.11a rating feels true to its grade with a crux that hinges on sustained crimpy sequences transitioning into a demanding overhang. The technical slab section offers a slightly softer feel, but the finish push firmly anchors the difficulty, making it a solid test comparable to other 5.11a routes in the region.

Gear Requirements

Eight fixed bolts and chain anchors secure the climb, providing solid protection but requiring careful clipping especially on the overhung final section.

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Tags

crimps
overhang finish
side-pulls
single pitch
sport climbing