Seward Highway Rock Climbing

This area holds the majority of the rock climbing close to Anchorage. Much of the rock is road cuts along the Seward Highway, although there is plenty located off the road on natural formations. This area is known for its loose rock and generally chossy nature, although the crags hold many hidden gems. Wearing a helmet is a must! Routes range in difficulty from easy 5.5 trad at Bermuda Triangle to hard 5.14a test pieces like "Howl of the Damned," at Shriek of the Mutilated. Seward Highway even hosts climbs established by the legendary Mugs Stump.

Despite the noise of the highway, It is a great place to go to after work or just for a few hours. You can see the famous bore tide, whales, sheep, bears and eagles all along the road and get some climbing in!

There have been a series of guidebooks published about the climbing on the Seward Highway, notably "The Scar" brought the highway to the masses. Currently the more extensive "Alaska Rock Climbing Guide" by Kelsey Gray has become the book of choice. Unfortunately, Seward Highway has the distinction of being voted by Climbing Magazine as one of the five worst climbing areas in America. 

As of the last few years a rebolting initiative has been taking place, but not all routes have seen work, use caution while climbing.