It was a busy summer at Robinson Bluff with the addition of many new rock climbing routes. Despite the heat, our awesome route setters have been scouting, cleaning, drilling, glueing and setting. Next time you’re at Robinson Bluff, check out these new climbs and boulder problems:

New Routes at the Cryptic Wall 

Take the stairs down and the trail up river to the Cryptic Wall, which is located just south of the Lilly Wall. Step up along the lower trail to access the base of the routes. The right side of the wall starts with an obvious left-facing dihedral. As you look left, the rock’s reddish hue fades to white. Four new routes take the Cryptic Wall’s total number to nine, which vary in difficulty from 5.7 to 5.11 and reach up to 110’ tall.

The new routes, Redneck Mother and Snake Farm, are both 5.10a and just under 100’ tall. You’ll need a 60 meter rope and a bunch of draws to get to the top…if you can make it past the cruxy fourth bolt. 

​Venture left to two new cruiser routes with timely names:  I ❤️ Ukraine and Bummer of a Summer. A 70 meter rope and some alpine draws are suggested. Check out Mountain Project for the full list of routes at the Cryptic Wall. 

New Routes at the Legacy Wall

The more densely bolted Legacy Wall has a total of 17 routes, ranging from 5.6 to 5.11 and from 35’ to 100’ tall. This long, scoop-shaped wall has a mix of steep, shaded climbing during the summer with plenty of winter morning sunlight. 

Legacy Falls (5.10c/d, 60’) was the first bolted line, and now, Bloody Mary and Proud Mary are the most recent. Located at the northern end of the Legacy Wall, Proud Mary (5.7, 55’)  hugs the right side of the buttress. It got its name from the classic CCR song, of course.  

Bloody Mary (5.10a, 65’) starts on a ledge above the River Boat Buttress (5.7, 55’) about 70 feet above the trail along the base. It got its name from the experience that is route setting. When using a hammer and chisel to chip away at the choss, accidents sometimes happen resulting in bloody fingers and very sore hands.

​Check out Mountain Project for the long list of routes at the Legacy Wall.
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Bouldering at North End Boulders

The North End Boulders are furthest north along the bluff line (climber's right of the Grand Staircase). The bouldering areas are divided into groups of boulders or isolated rock exposure. If you’ve climbed Crisscross (V2-3) on the Wave Wall and want to try a more difficult variation, start under roof on the undercling and right hand pinch. Go up to the sharp right hand and move into Crisscross. The extension is called Grapevine (V5-6). 


 Interested in bolting at Robinson Bluff? Shoot Bill an email at [email protected]. 

Standing like a fortress facing east, Robinson Bluff catches the first rays of morning sunlight. Turkey vultures gather on bare tree limbs to shake off the morning cold. For a moment, nothing moves except for the cold water of the Big River meandering through the valley. Located about an hour from St. Louis, Robinson Bluff feels like a temporal anomaly. On the brochure it states “more climbing, less driving.” Climbers can spend the day choosing from more than 300 routes and still be back in time for dinner. But as the mist lingers on the river and light slowly spills into the valley, time stands still. In this stillness, a greater appreciation of the unique geological past of this climber’s haven can be had when pausing to contemplate how time and change has affected everything around you. Plus, it is shaping up to be a beautiful day to climb.

​Earth has a long history, spanning approximately 4.6 billion years. At Robinson Bluff, the story begins over 500 million years ago on the bottom of the sea floor. Today, the bluff may be crawling with climbers, but back in geologic time when these rocks were deposited, this area, now known as southeast Missouri, would have been covered by a tropical sea teeming with marine life.

The Paleozoic Era
The Cambrian Period was significant for many reasons. It marked the beginning of a new era in geologic time called the Paleozoic Era, meaning “ancient life.” Geologists sometimes refer to this period as the “Cambrian Explosion” because it is the time in earth’s history when nearly all major animal phyla appeared in the fossil record. Clues of this “biological big bang” can be found in Missouri’s rock record too. Remains of creatures such as trilobites, stromatolites and crinoids are just a few of the examples. The Paleozoic Era lasted for approximately 289 million years and ended with the biggest mass-extinction event in earth’s history, called the “Great Dying,” when about 90 percent of life in the oceans and 70 percent of life on land was wiped out.

Geologists often say that “the present is the key to the past.” In late Cambrian time, several key factors came together to form the rocks at Robinson Bluff. For one, Missouri was a lot closer to the equator then. Warm, crystal-clear water covered most of the state which made Missouri more like the modern-day Caribbean. In the Bahamas today, the conditions are perfect for marine life. Millions of critters live out their days extracting calcium carbonate (CaCO3) from sea water to make the hard parts of their shells. Eventually, when the animals die, their remains sink to the sea floor where they collect in great numbers. Year after year, this cycle continues, forming what geologists refer to as the "carbonate factory.”

Similarly, in the Cambrian Period, southeastern Missouri was host to a plethora of newly arrived marine critters. Over vast stretches of time, shell material from these animals accumulated in significant enough proportions and were buried so deeply that they eventually became lithified into the layers of rock we see today. It may be the last thing on a climber’s mind while ascending the route of choice, but Robinson Bluff is a Paleozoic graveyard.

Over a hundred and twenty years ago, a geologist named Arthur Winslow trekked through the town of Potosi, Missouri while mapping lead and zinc deposits in the region. He noted a particular bluff-forming rock layer that was easy to identify due to its abundance of mineral blossom deposits, AKA quartz crystals. Using the name of the nearest town, Winslow mapped the geologic formation as the Potosi Dolomite.
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While they are both carbonates, dolomite is the magnesium-rich cousin of calcite. Calcite and dolomite are minerals that form the rocks limestone and dolostone. Calcite is to limestone as dolomite is to dolostone. Both rock types form in marine environments similar to that of the Bahamas. However, they are chemically different. Like most Paleozoic dolostones in Missouri, the Potosi Formation is believed to have been formed as a limestone that was later exposed to magnesium-rich waters and turned to dolostone. This dolomitization process yields an end product slightly harder than limestone, but for the most part, they look the same. Limestone and dolostone can also be differentiated with a drop of hydrochloric acid (HCl) on the rock surface. While limestone has a vigorous bubbling reaction, dolostone has a very feeble reaction, if any.
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Perhaps the single most diagnostic feature of the Potosi Formation is the abundance of druse quartz. Appearing about four bolts up from the trail surface on nearly every climb at Robinson Bluff are intriguing mineral clusters that line pockets in the rocks. Hard, crystalline druse quartz creates the sparkling, textured holds that are commonly found throughout the Potosi Formation that resemble the inside of a geode. It also weathers out of deep red, rather sticky clay, locally termed “tallow clay” or “terra rosa,” and can be found on the trails in the vicinity.

Quartz is made of silica, or (SiO2), and is a much harder substance than its dolostone host rock. Those who have bolted at Robinson Bluff may have noticed that the upper half of the cliff is harder to drill. This is most likely due to the increase of silica content in the rock. Quartz is a seven on the Moh's Hardness Scale, a scale that geologists use to characterize scratch resistance of various natural materials relative to each other. The mineral calcite is a three on the hardness scale, and dolomite, which makes up most of Robinson Bluff, is three-and-a-half to four on the scale. Drilling through the rock here is a great way to become acquainted with the Potosi Formation and all its chemical nuances. ​

Robinson Bluff continues to evolve into more than a Missouri rock climbing destination; its recent unveiling of mountain biking trails adds miles of new downhill adventure. In addition to a two-mile cross country loop, the park’s 11 downhill trails offer beginner-to-advanced riders a hefty number of natural and built features. It’s not just the uniqueness of these features, but also the sheer quantity that make the new bike park a worthy attraction in-and-of itself.

While the St. Louis mountain biking scene has a lot to offer, Robinson Bluff’s trail builder, Eric Lewis, says these new trails are unlike any of the other local trail systems.

“There isn’t anything like it in St. Louis,” Eric said. “We’ve had some ex-pro riders test out the jumps and they agree.”

That’s because Eric fashioned them after Colorado’s famed downhill trails. 

“I got a lot of ideas in Colorado,” he said. “When I came back, I knew exactly what I wanted to build.”

​Trail Guide
The six miles of new trails at Robinson Bluff include three machine-built flow/jump downhills, eight single track downhills and a cross country loop. The mountain bike trails start to the right of the pay station. Each of the numbered trails is marked with signs and is color coded. 

Black Diamond Trails
Robinson Bluff’s three most difficult trails are steep and technical with tight corners, ledge drops and rocky, off-camber sections. 

• 5 - Trail starts out with a couple switchbacks and deep catch berms. Tight corners continue with off-camber sections leading to a small rock garden ledge drop. The trail concludes with a rock garden and steep, off-camber terrain. 
• 6 - The steep trail weaves through cedar trees with long, straight, off-camber sections leading to rocky outcroppings. You’ll have three options at the trail’s most difficult section, the finish. Turn right for a corner ledge drop; keep straight for a smaller ledge drop; or go left to bypass the drops altogether.
• 7 - This is the hardest trail with a series of tight corners, off-camber rocky sections and rough rock gardens. Save your mental grit for the finale, with its series of steep, rocky switchbacks.

Blue Trails
The eight, intermediate single-track trails are decked out with small berms, rock gardens and natural rock ledge jumps.

• 1 - This is a jump flow trail that includes a couple tabletops at the top with big berms at the corners. Its highlight is a 17ft gap jump, which can be bypassed via a roll around trail. 
• 2 - This is the second easiest trail, which starts out with a couple catch berms on some tight corners. Mid-trail features include small rock gardens and a short, steep section with a deep rut corner at the exit. 
• 3 - This is a more difficult flow jump trail that’s rated blue/black for its 18 challenging features and mandatory drops. Starts out with a table top, followed by a couple rollers into a tight berm and the first of several jumps. This one has a roll around to the left. Next, tackle the step up, three rollers with a step down and three mandatory drops that are around two feet tall. The final feature is a jump on/off tabletop with a steep landing. 
• 4 - Another featured jump flow trail with 14 different features, including lots of roller jumps, small ledge drops and a couple tabletops. Ends with a steep section into a creek crossing. 
• 8 - A short trail with tight corners and small rock gardens and fast sections.
• 9 - This short, switchback-heavy trail has some fast and rocky sections.
• Split - This trail is aptly named….at the split opt for the right side for its tight corners and off-camber rocky sections; or go left for even more off-camber rocky sections. The trails come back together near the finish with a couple really tight switchbacks.

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Green Trails 

• 0 - This is the easiest of all the mountain bike trails. A fun downhill with plenty of beginner-to-intermediate features, including tight turns, small berms and a rocky sections. 
• Cross Country Loop - A wide, leisurely two-mile loop that’s ideal for beginners, or a warm up or a nice woodland hike. 

Multi-Sport: Climb, Bike, Hike, Fish, Paddle, Camp, Climb
In addition to the new mountain biking trails, Robinson Bluff is a destination for hiking, fishing, paddling, camping, and, of course, rock climbing. Thanks to volunteers like Eric -who has also set more than 25 stellar sport routes at Robinson Bluff - our Midwest multi-sport destination continues to evolve into a place for outdoor adventure enthusiasts and adrenaline junkies. As such, there’s just too much to explore in a single day; check out all the ways to stay at Robison Bluff when you aren’t ready to leave! 

Robinson Bluff is a privately owned rock climbing and mountain biking destination. Completing a waiver and paying the $10 per person daily entrance fee is required to participate in any — or all — of the property’s activities, with the exception of camping, which is $10/night per campsite. 
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Whether you’re the tent type, the cabin-only climber or camper van vagabond, Robinson Bluff has the right setup for your week or weekend of rock climbing. Choose from these three ways to stay:​

Tent Camping
Robinson Bluff’s campground has 21 primitive, wooded campsites with fire ring and natural seating. Sites are a quick walk from our brand new restrooms with potable water and shower; even closer is the maintained, portable restroom at the top of the grand staircase. Sites are available on a first come first serve basis, and can accommodate up to 6 people per campsite. 

The main gate stays locked, so be prepared to haul your things to your campsite (approximately 500 yards) or email [email protected] ahead of time to request the gate code. Campers looking for a different landscape, and who are willing to hike their gear further, may want to camp along the gravel bar next to the river. 

    Cost to camp: $10 per site per night

Camper Van or Car Camp
With a large, level gravel parking lot, Robinson Bluff is equipped to handle camper vans, small RVs and travel trailers up to 19 feet. While not the same wooded surroundings as the tent camping, nearby trees offer some shade. No electric, water or sewer hookups, but the brand new restrooms with potable water and showers are located right across the street from the parking lot. Be aware that camper vans, RVs and travel trailers will not be able to make the loop in the campground. 

    Cost to camper van, RV or car camp: $10/vehicle​

If you’ve rock climbed much at Robinson Bluff, you’ve probably seen Chuck McGibbon crowbarring boulders off the wall, using a leaf blower thirty feet up, and drilling hole after painstaking hole while dangling in space. He is hands-down Robinson Bluff’s most prolific route setter, having established nearly 30 percent of our 178 sport routes. 

With his stockpile of first ascents, you’d think he had been climbing and setting his entire life, but Chuck and his wife, Becky, both started rock climbing in their 60s. Before technical rock climbing, Chuck mountaineered fourteeners like Mounts Shasta (14,179’) and Rainier (14,411’) before tackling North America’s highest peak, Denali (20,310’). Then, he took on the world’s tallest peaks with Ama Dablam (22,349’) in Nepal, Aconcagua in Argentina (at 22,837’ it is the tallest mountain outside of Asia), and Cho Oyu (26,864’) in Tibet before training for the “roof of the world," Mount Everest, where in 2007, he reached its south summit (28,704’). 

A year later, Chuck traded his high altitude career for a shorter, more affordable variety of climbing, technical rock climbing. He was 63. As with most new climbers, 5.9s felt out of reach, but that didn’t last long. 

“I was inspired by Jack LaLanne (the godfather of modern fitness). When he turned 70, he towed a flotilla of 70 rowboats across Long Beach Harbor. I wanted to do something like that in my 70th year, too. So, I decided to try to red point at least 70 routes that are at least a 5.11a grade. I passed that goal with 84 before turning 71, and I just kept climbing and counting.”

Rock Climber to Route Setter

In 2017, Chuck and Becky visited Hobart, Tasmania for the second time. While Chuck had spent much of their first trip to the Australian island climbing on dolomite on nearby Mount Wellington, the second trip offered something new — recently discovered sandstone cliffs in the Sand River area. His mates invited him to help develop this new climbing area. 

When he returned home, he wasn’t planning on using his new setting skillset. But then… 

“I was climbing with Bill Weishaar one day at Robinson Bluff,” said Chuck. “Bill asked if I was interested in setting routes there. The Covid pandemic was just starting, and I didn’t want to be stuck inside during it, so I agreed to give it a try. I just loved going down there. Still do.”

…so much so, he’s made more than 250 trips here! While some of those were just to climb, the number of outings certainly speaks to the time commitment required to do what he’s done. Chuck says he spends three or more, eight-hour days setting a single-pitch route. Applied to Robinson Bluff’s total number of sport routes, that’s more than 4,400 hours of cleaning, hammering, chain sawing, anchor building, sequencing, planning, drilling, gluing and everything else that goes into route setting. 

Thank you to every single one of our route setters! We recognize the significant time commitment you’ve given to set good routes. And we have a lot of good routes!

Route Setting at Robinson

Setting a route starts with finding an inspiring line. Then cleaning the rock. And finally, placing anchors and bolts. That’s about as basic an explanation as it gets. But there are many other steps and jobs as well (see 4,400 hour notation).

“Sometimes, there’s a lot of brush to remove,” said Chuck. “Some of it is easy (think pebbles, dirt, leaves, vines, poison ivy); other times, it might be an entire tree.”

Trading his chainsaw for a hammer and crowbar, Chuck then begins inspecting and pounding on the rock, checking for fractures, loose rock, and cavities. At Robinson Bluff, if it moves, it gets removed.

“Then, I figure out how I’d climb it and where the anchors should go. I try it on top rope and a fixed line a few times (he always sets from rappel), looking for decent rock to place the bolts. Then, I start drilling and gluing.”

In addition to his 50+ route contribution to Robinson Bluff, Chuck spends days — literally days — cleaning routes he hasn’t set, retrofitting anchors with mussy hooks, building and clearing trails, hand-crafting name plates for routes, and all around making the property better for climbers. Next time you see Chuck dangling along Robinson Bluff’s cliffs…first, watch out…then thank him.