While mountaineering and the Grand Canyon don’t quite seem like a natural fit, there are well over 100 summits sprinkled throughout this extraordinary canyon, from sandstone buttes and spires to giant limestone pyramids. Whether you’re looking for solitude or just a new way to experience the Grand Canyon, there are a number of great summits to choose from.
Disclaimer: Many (although not all) of my trips involve cross country travel with varying degrees of technical difficulty. All distances and elevation gain are taken directly from my GPS. All reports include a “crux” given in the Yosemite Decimal System (YDS). This graded system is very subjective, and ratings I’ve given are either based on personal experience or overall consensus of a route within the community. Know that routes, conditions and risk factors can all change so practice your own judgement whenever setting out on your own adventures. For those less familiar with the YDS system click here for an overview article from REI.