This list of suggested climbs was not chosen just on the routes' grades (indeed, one route has the seemingly advanced grade of 5.9, C1). Rather, these climbs were picked for several reasons: their spectacular and remote settings, their stimulating climbing, their relative safety, and—despite that 5.9, C1 rating—their relative ease. These climbs are all genuine intermediate material, and—regardless of grade—they are all great routes.

Mount Temple as seen from Lake Louise

The climbs here also represent a wide variety of regions, from the canyon country of Utah to the exotic, volcanic peaks of eastern Mexico. And although there are no climbs from certain regions—such as the Himalaya and East Asia—these mountains and routes were chosen for ease of access both from the USA and Europe. Mount Kenya might seem like a long way away; however, it is such an easy mountain to get to (you can take a taxi from Nairobi), and it's a great mountain to learn mountaineering on if you hope to advance in your climbing career. I just had to include it.

Good luck, wear your helmet, and good climbing!

Move on to Location Map

Climbing Trips Head for the top of the world with these alpine and rock-climbing adventures. Top Activity Destinations Rocky Mountains Nepal South America Alps

We've given you ten . . . Do you have a favorite climb for the average Joe or Jane that we did not include? Tell us about it.

Cameron M. Burns is a writer, climbing guide, adventure traveler, photographer, and artist based in Basalt, Colorado. The author of six climbing guides, two novels, and thousands of magazine and newspaper articles, Burns's primer on ice climbing has been featured on GORP. Glasgow-based mountaineer Tom Prentice contributed to this story.

Return to Top