Calabogie Bouldering Guide

[Pallek]

Hi all.

I was told that this guide needs to be distributed amongst you all.

http://www.ottawaclimbing.com/Calabogie.pdf

Thanks go to Jody and Evan for making this available.

[daveh_cdn]

Awesome. I can't wait to check out that place.

[patrick]

Cool! I just got a new copy from Jody but am glad Evan decided to make .pdf version available too.

[Don]

Hey, thanks for posting that! Especially since the bouldering ban in Gatineau is in effect.

I'll went there three times over the past month and was quite impressed with the quality. It definitely won't be competing with VD or Mac Pond, but I'd actually say its better than Shrine, O+ and home cliff.


Thinking of going back this weekend try some more classics there. In my opinion, the grading in the guide might be on the soft side (compared to the 'neau), so I can see myself trying some harder problems (V5-v7)in the region.


Anyone else been out there this year?

[daveh_cdn]

Nope, haven't been. I want to check it out. How are the bugs? How long does it take to get there from Ottawa? How long is the hike too?

[Don]

Hey Dave,

It takes roughly 1 hr to 1 1/2 hrs to get to the parking. You get to a little past Arnprior and do 28km on the 508. The guide is pretty accurate in saying it's 2.3 km past Calabogie Peaks. There's a bit of a hidden parking on top of a hill ( you should usually see a car or two parked there). I'd say the hike is about 15 minutes on a trail (beware of ATVs) and then 5-10 minutes down a cliff (this trail can be particularity hard to find, but look left of the Eagles nest lookout and then right near some porcupine bark- stripped pines). The overall area consists of a U shape, with some good tall boulders scattered around the area. The concentration is rather impressive when comparing to Gatineau's spots.

There is definitely some potential beyond the guide, but most climbs seem to range in the V-medium, with a couple of v7s and v8s and a few open problems. As I stated, the V2-V4s I tried seemed a little soft to me.

Right now the bugs are ok (i went this Monday, so it was unusually warm thought). I could see it get worst though, as the area is near a lowland marsh.

The climbs are a little different than from Gatineau. Same type of rock, but definitely more jugs and large holds.

I timed myself last time coming back, and with no traffic, I made it from the parking to my place (close to downtown Ottawa) in just under 1 hr. Home cliff or 0+ usually took me 40+ minutes, so I don't mind the extra distance too much.