"Spring Greens carves a clean, technical line up a striking black rock buttress in British Columbia’s Kootenays West. This one-pitch trad route balances steady crack climbing with careful protection, rewarding climbers with clear moves and natural flow in a quiet wilderness setting."
Spring Greens stands as a compelling choice for trad climbers looking to test their skills on a clean, technical line within the rugged landscape of British Columbia’s Kootenays West. The route begins at the base of a sharp, triangular black rock buttress—a striking feature that demands attention. The climb immediately challenges with a right-facing corner that presents a thin crack, requiring precise hand and finger placements on slick, dark stone. This opening move carries you confidently to a fractured ledge, a brief resting spot that teases the promise of continuation.
From here, the route shifts direction, guiding you up and right along the ledge before entering a shallow left-facing corner equipped with a hand crack that encourages steady, deliberate progress. This section tests your balance and patience as you navigate the subtle rock features and maintain secure protection. The climb concludes as you veer again up and right to reach a bolted anchor, a reliable endpoint after about 90 feet of varied climbing.
Spring Greens offers a clear example of moderate traditional climbing, where placement of gear up to three inches is essential to safeguard against the occasional loose section and to adapt to the evolving rock features. The black rock’s texture provides ample friction but rewards careful footwork and an attentive approach to crack mechanics.
The setting around the route is part of a whitewater rock cluster, embedded within mixed forested hills and overlooked by distant mountain peaks. The environment hums quietly with the sound of the nearby rushing river and wind through the trees, an ever-present reminder of nature’s pulse around you. Though the area sits remote enough to preserve a sense of calm, it’s accessible for a day outing, making it a smart pick for climbers who value solid rock with straightforward logistics.
Planning a session on Spring Greens means preparing for an approach that traverses varied terrain, with an estimated 20-minute walk from the parking zone across forested trails and rocky paths. Bringing an appropriate rack with cams up to 3 inches will ensure full coverage, while climbing shoes with sticky rubber enhance grip on the black stone’s angular features. Timing the climb for mid-spring to early fall helps avoid wet or icy conditions, which could turn the route’s thin crack into a slippery challenge.
Spring Greens sets a tone of steady adventure—equal parts engagement and accessibility. It invites climbers to appreciate the intimate connection between body and rock while nestled in a wild, serene corner of Canada’s outdoors. The route’s balance of technical crack climbing and straightforward protection opportunities makes it a rewarding first or second trad climb for those venturing into the Kootenays’ climbing scene.
Keep attentive to the broken ledge’s loose sections and test all placements thoroughly. Weather can affect rock friction, so avoid climbing when wet or icy. The approach trail is straightforward but uneven—watch your footing to prevent ankle twists before even starting the climb.
Approach via well-marked forest trails; expect about a 20-minute hike from parking.
Wear high-friction climbing shoes for secure edging on the black rock features.
Start climbs mid-morning to avoid cold morning rock and afternoon shade that can chill the fingers.
Check weather for dry conditions—wet rock reduces friction drastically on this route.
A rack fitted with cams up to 3 inches is essential here to protect the varying crack widths and keep safety consistent. Bring gear capable of fitting thin cracks as well as wider placements for the broken ledge areas.
Upload your photos of Spring Greens and earn up to 3000 $ADVCOIN tokens.