Montana · Rock climbing · Townsend

Hell or High Water

5.13c
grade
Trad Gear
style
May–Jun, Aug–Sep
best months

Is Hell or High Water open right now?

No closures listed

The Forest Service lists no closures for Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest.

As of · Source: USFS · Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

This route represents the upper limit of the grade span at Winter Wall, where 20 climbs have been catalogued across a range from 5.8 to 5.13c. First ascent: Jeff Ho, Henry Schlotzhauer, and Whit Magro.

  • Nearby · Hellgate Gulch · Avalanche Gulch · Nude Beach Cove
  • Best time to go · May–Jun, Aug–Sep

    Best time to visit Hell or High Water

    Best months: May–June and August–September. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      32° / 14°

      7 wet · 6 snow

    2. Feb

      37° / 17°

      6 wet · 5 snow

    3. Mar

      48° / 25°

      7 wet · 4 snow

    4. Apr

      57° / 32°

      8 wet · 2 snow

    5. May

      66° / 41°

      11 wet

    6. Jun

      75° / 49°

      11 wet

    7. Jul

      86° / 55°

      8 wet

    8. Aug

      85° / 53°

      6 wet

    9. Sep

      73° / 45°

      6 wet

    10. Oct

      58° / 34°

      7 wet · 2 snow

    11. Nov

      43° / 23°

      6 wet · 4 snow

    12. Dec

      33° / 14°

      7 wet · 5 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Helena Rgnl Ap, MT, 17.8 mi away at 3,828 ft. The station sits about 700 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.