Washington · Rock climbing · Index

Better to Climb on Your Knees Than Fail on Your Feet (5a HVS)

Mid-range climb in The Gunks! sector at Upper Wall, Lower Tier and Trail.

5.9
grade
Trad Gear
style

Is Better to Climb on Your Knees Than Fail on Your Feet (5a HVS) open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. It doesn't name Better to Climb on Your Knees Than Fail on Your Feet (5a HVS), so check the source for the area it covers (2 listed).

As of · Source: USFS · Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Best time to visit Better to Climb on Your Knees Than Fail on Your Feet (5a HVS)

Best months: July–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

    42° / 31°

    20 wet · 4 snow

  2. Feb

    47° / 32°

    17 wet · 2 snow

  3. Mar

    52° / 34°

    19 wet · 2 snow

  4. Apr

    59° / 38°

    18 wet

  5. May

    66° / 44°

    16 wet

  6. Jun

    69° / 48°

    13 wet

  7. Jul

    77° / 52°

    7 wet

  8. Aug

    77° / 52°

    7 wet

  9. Sep

    71° / 48°

    11 wet

  10. Oct

    58° / 41°

    16 wet

  11. Nov

    47° / 36°

    20 wet · 2 snow

  12. Dec

    41° / 32°

    20 wet · 5 snow

Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Baring, WA, 5.3 mi away at 770 ft. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Closures we've recorded since August 2026

  • Campfire Ban in Effect Forest-wide

    Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest · Order dated July 21, 2026; seen Aug 23, 2026 → lifted Sep 15, 2026 · Forest Service

One of 23 routes catalogued at Upper Wall, Lower Tier and Trail, this climb sits in the middle of the crag's range from 5.7 to 5.14. Located in The Gunks! sector.

Photo of the crag

Upper Wall, Lower Tier and Trail — the crag this route is on
Upper Wall, Lower Tier and Trail, Washington — this photo shows the crag, not this individual route.Photo: Laurel Fan, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

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Local businesses nearby

Outfitters and businesses near Index. They haven’t set up their Roamze page yet.

Pro Guiding Service

Rock Climbing business nearby (~25 mi away) — hasn't claimed their Roamze page yet

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International Sherpa Guide (ISG)

Rock Climbing business nearby (~28 mi away) — hasn't claimed their Roamze page yet

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Uplift Climbing

Rock Climbing business nearby (~35 mi away) — hasn't claimed their Roamze page yet

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