The Best Boulder Problems in Gold Bar: Ranked
The magical forests of Gold Bar are home to some of the best granite bouldering in the Pacific Northwest. Known for its steep, athletic problems and varied climbing styles, Gold Bar is a must-visit destination for PNW boulderers. As the sister area to the legendary Index, it offers a unique mix of powerful movement and technical sequences on high-quality rock.
In this guide, we’re highlighting the Top 10 most popular boulders at Gold Bar. Whether you’re looking for classic warm-ups or iconic hard lines, these problems capture the essence of what makes Gold Bar bouldering.
Or, watch the full video on YouTube, and use our complete Gold Bar Travel Guide to learn more about what makes Gold Bar bouldering special and plan your trip!
The Best Boulder Problems in Gold Bar
10. Doja V7, Central Forest
A forest classic. Stand start off the awkward sloped landing with an incut crimp and make a classy cross move to another incut crimp before tackling the crux pop to jugs at the apex of the steep prow. Look out for the tree as you cut loose on the jugs.
9. Ross Bongo V8, Five Star
Climb the steep, tiered arete just left of the Five Star Arete from a sit start on a left facing blocky jug. Powerful and gymnastic moves will get to the prominent slot hold on the left side of the overhang then keep it together for the rest of the steepness and long, heady topout on incut seams. Absolutely classic and a must-do for those climbing in this grade range.
8. Stinkin’ Slopers V5, East Forest
Start on the low, left side of the boulder on opposing sloper rails. Pull up to the juggy crimps and traverse right across the namesake slopers towards the thin, vertical seam near the right arete. Finish up the seam to topout.
7. Metroid Prime V6, East Forest
Stand start using the arete and a good sidepull crimp in the face and start teching your way up the face to the mini roof prow. This is an awesome problem and classic for the area!
6. Summer Solstice V3, Clearcut
Classic classic classic. Start on the triangular slot and move right into the large, sloping ledge then continue through long moves between jugs up to the lip. Top out via seams on the slab above.
5. Beam Me Up V2, West Forest
Sit start at the bottom of the arete on a prominent, blocky jug shelf and climb straight up the corner on rails and sidepull seams. Fun moves on great rock, highly recommended!
4. Samurai V5, East Forest
Start low in the overhang on the big nose feature and work up through some bad pinches to better holds over the lip. Finish up the tall slab. Very classic!
3. Obesity V7, Clearcut
Sit start low in the middle of the overhang on a big pinch. Climb through big ledges to an amazing rose move into another nice pinch. Unwind and keep it together through more sloped ledges to finish.
2. Midnight Lichen V4, East Forest
Sit start in the center of the wall on the obvious opposing sidepull rails. Move up and left into the ‘lightning bolt’ crimp hold, then continue to the right on a larger rail to top out.
1. Sobriosity V6, Five Star
Start seated on the low jug rail and climb right across the short and steep face. Friendly holds and many solutions make this popular problem enjoyable for nearly everybody!
Find the top ten most popular boulders and more in Drew Schick’s Gold Bar guide on KAYA.
