Fisher Towers Rock Climbing
The Fisher Towers are some of the most improbable looking rock climbing routes in the world, with the classic Ancient Art route being a must-do adventure for any rock climber. Located 20 miles from Moab and just down the road from the classic desert towers in Castle Valley, the Fisher Towers are a softer sandstone that resembles a child building castles on the beach by dribbling wet sand. Composed of a Cutler sandstone on the bottom portion and capped by Moenkopi sandstone, these radically eroded desert towers offer a totally unique style of rock climbing set amongst an incredible setting and big exposure.
Multipitch rock climbing with routes ranging from 5.8+ to big wall aid climbs
Intermediate difficulty. Previous rock climbing experience required
Early March - late May and late September - late November
climb Moab’s wildest desert tower: Ancient Art!
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The iconic summit of Ancient Art stands out as a desert tower classic, accessible at a moderate grade of 5.8 A0 (two short sections of a bolt ladder can be easily aided or free climbed at 5.10). This exposed route ascends several fun pitches of chimneys, cracks and face climbing to a narrow walkway and an absolutely wild finish, a true adventure climb!
Pitch 1: (5.6) Climb gently angling terrain with a couple bulges to a large ledge. Walk the ledge to the base of a vertical but short step of conglomerate cobbles. This is the first optional aid pitch, though with coaching from your guide directly above it’s a fun challenge to free climb.
Pitch 2: A crack system with fun and varied climbing with three-dimensional movement. This long pitch finishes at a comfortable ledge with awesome views looking out at Castle Valley.
Pitch 3: A short vertical step with techy face climbing to an exposed ledge below the summit.
Pitch 4: This classic pitch starts off with an exposed walkway to the “Diving Board” - a protruding feature at 4 feet tall that needs to be surmounted. Some three dimensional climbing up the bulbous summit block brings climbers to the small balanced rock summit with 360° views.
Descend the route with multiple rappels.
It is often possible to link a guided climb of Ancient Art with another tower such as Lizard Rock, which is easily accessed from the same trailhead, or a short drive to the River Road Dihedrals. Alternatively, it’s possible to climb a few more pitches at one of Moab’s excellent crags.
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It is often possible to link a guided climb of Ancient Art with another tower such as Lizard Rock, which is easily accessed from the same trailhead, or a short drive to the River Road Dihedrals. Alternatively, it’s possible to climb a few more pitches at one of Moab’s excellent crags.
There are also several difficult and big wall aid climbing routes in the Fisher Towers for climbers looking for an off-the-beaten-path adventure. Routes such as the Finger of Fate on the Titan are fun, engaging and totally unique once-in-a-lifetime routes for climbers up for the challenge.
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The standard route on Ancient Art is “Stolen Chimney”, there are two short sections of of 5.10 that involve techy/balancey climbing. The rest of the route has climbing between 5.6 to 5.8, with some crack climbing and face climbing. The sections of 5.10 have closely spaced bolts so climbers who want to keep the climbing grade at 5.8 can pull on quickdraws to keep the route at a moderate grade.
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Yes! Skyward Mountaineering puts a lot of value in customizing guided climbing trips, so details like the start time, hiking pace, photos, climbing instruction, bonus pitches afterwards, etc can be adjusted to meet your specific goals. Your guide will reach out in the days before the climb to discuss these logistics, please let them know if you have any questions or specific requests.
Additionally, our administrative staff are climbers and guides too and we’re here to support you through the whole process. If you have any questions before booking your guided climb or before the trip starts please reach out to us and we are happy to answer your questions.
