Rattlesnake Point

Rattlesnake Point is by far the most climbed crag in Ontario, due to several factors: teaching is allowed which permits large groups, it’s sunny all day, the access is easy and quick, topropes are easily set up, and it’s the closest crag in the Greater Toronto Area. Expect most of the wall to be busy on summer weekends. Though several routes are listed, Rattlesnake Point isn’t a particularly large crag - every inch has been climbed. Perhaps done to switch things up decades ago by hardmen past - as if trad climbing on The Escarpment wasn’t heart-pounding enough - there are several variation lines, a few contrived linkups, a handful of long-lost traverses (good luck doing one on a spring to fall weekend), and many “routes between routes”. Rattlesnake Point is toprope and trad only. Anchors are at the top of the cliff and not on the face of the routes, so if you’re setting up a top rope, remember to bring slings to set up your toprope anchor. __Hanging Cedars Area__ This area is the wall of routes on the left end of Rattlesnake Point. It can somewhat be identified by a number of cedars growing out of the cliff. __The Plaque Area__ These are the relatively short routes around the plaque dedicated to a climber. __The Spring Wall__ This is the wall with the small spring that’s almost always flowing on the left end. It’s also noted for the long and low roof that several routes start on. __The Bulge Area__ The area around The Bulge overhang with several easier routes to the right of it. __The Pinnacle Area__ The area routes right of Molson’s arete and immediately to the climber’s left of the stairs. The most obvious features are the pinnacle by the stairs and two large ledges to the climber’s left of the pinnacle. __Cave Wall__ The cluster of climbs that climb out of the ledge as you descend the trail to the climber’s right of the stairs. There is a small cave on the ledge with a smaller hueco to the right of it. There used to be routes left of this wall, but nature has claimed them back. __White Streaks Wall__ A tall blocky wall with highly visible white streaks and the huge Amphitheatre Ledge near the top. The ledge thins out and wraps around the overhang to the right side of the wall before opening up again. __Green Corner__ As you round the corner from the White Streaks Wall, you’ll come across a blocky wall with plenty of yellow-green patches as it approaches the dirty, unused scramble (Nelson’s Escape Hatch). __Tetris Wall__ The white wall with that’s insanely blocky looking, like Zeus played Tetris there and couldn’t win. Makes one want to play puzzle games, except for Chess Fighting Legends 3. That one sucked. As you follow the wall around the steep roof section, you’ll notice that an entire chunk of overhanging headwall has fallen clean off, taking with it several routes with it. Consider avoiding climbing around this part of the wall. __Mother Nature Wall__ A combination of moisture, lower height, and less traffic means vegetation is growing on this wall, especially at the right end.