West Gully

The West Gully has steep walls on either side. The routes here were set in the early 90s and are sportier than the moderate stuff at the base of Castle. It is reliably breezy or windy here, either providing a welcome cool off or numbing your fingers depending on time of year (we sometimes refer to it as the Wind Tunnel). Shade alternates from one wall to the other depending on time of day.

Facing down the gully, the Left side has one route called 5.9 Wall which is... well, a 5.9. A good warm up on colorful featured rock. It is topropable if you go between some trees and scramble up the buttress although the anchors may be a bit difficult to find from the top and/or uncomfortable to reach.

On the right side of the gully next to a tree is the Torture Chamber, with a 5.10b and two 11s sharing a pair of open cold shuts. A great challenge. You can toprope the 11s after leading the 10 if so desired.

CAUTION: The tree next to Torture Chamber is a hazard while lowering AND belaying. Lower carefully to avoid the sharp nubs of the trees removed limbs--they will leave bruises. And stand clear of the tree when belaying so that you arent pulled up through the sharp edges of the removed limbs during a lead fall.