First Buttress

First Buttress is a climbing area in Montana, about 3.5 miles from the town of Stevensville. It sits among a cluster of climbing spots, with Kootenai Canyon and Outermost Limits each about 0.1 mile away and Second Buttress about 0.2 mile off. The area is a hub for sport climbers, with 26 sport routes among its 32 total, and it also offers a few trad and mixed options. The climbing here ranges from 5.7 up to 5.13c, with the median grade around 5.12b. Sport climbers will find routes like Razorback at 5.10c and The Arborist at 5.13c. A Rockwork Orange, a trad route at 5.11b/c, was first climbed by Micheal Scott and Rick Torre. Summer is the most comfortable time to visit. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Stevensville show July highs around 85°F with lows near 49°F, while winter brings highs in the mid-30s and a few snowy days a month from December through February. Charles Waters Campground is about 2.6 miles away, and Kootenai Creek offers a hike about 2.7 miles off. Larry Creek Group Camp is about 3.6 miles away, and Big Creek, a paddling spot, is about 5.7 miles away.