Pachamama (5.7, 85m) Traditional Cache

This small tube container is located on Pachamama, a fantastic 3 pitch, 5.7 fully bolted sport climbing route developed by me and first climbed on June 27, 2022 by GeoJamie22 and me. Pachamama is an extremely fun, varied climb on good stone. The first pitch offers interesting climbing on unique limestone, the second pitch is the crux with a 5.9 option, and the top pitch is an awesome climb up a corner feature. Note that this geocache is an extreme challenge which requires specialized skills in multi-pitch rock climbing and the appropriate climbing equipment.

Pachamama climbs a NE-facing section of rock on the lower slopes of Door Jamb Mountain, tucked in a steep slabby area that had not seen any prior modern route development. The route climbs from the forest up onto the south ridge of Door Jamb Mountain, offering great views of the Bow Valley, sound rock and fun climbing. The approach is also reasonably short, which makes it even more surprising that these cliffs have not been previously harvested.

After hiking up the main Door Jamb trail and heading off onto the nice climber's trail, you will eventually come across the tall, slabby wall on your left-hand side. The first bolted route you will come across is Spike Up Your Life, a route very similar in length and difficulty to Pachamama and well worth climbing. However, Pachamama is the gem on this wall. Follow the trail around and up to the base of a white streak where the route begins.

Pachamama is divided into 3 pitches, each of which have a very distinct feel. The first pitch is a little dirty and rugged as it ascends out of the forest, while still offering some very fun climbing. Pitch 2 is the crux, offering 2 options of slightly varying difficulty. And the final pitch is a fantastic climb up a stellar corner to the top of the ridge! The variation between pitches gives the route an interesting and unique vibe.

Naming note: "Pachamama" means "Mother Earth" in Quechua (the language spoked by the Incan people of Peru), and is one of the most important Gods of the people of the Andes. In Incan mythology, the cosmos is divided into three pachas, with Pachamama being the supreme Goddess. "Uku Pacha" is the "below world", a place where those unfit for Hanan Pacha would go upon their death; "Kay Pacha" is "this world", a physical realm that living beings inhabit; "Hanan Pacha" is the "upper world", which is the realm of the Incan Gods. Those who live a good life in Kay Pacha are said to ascend to Hanan Pacha. The mythology seemed to fit perfectly with the character of the route - the lowest pitch being a bit dirty and scrappy, the second being challenging and offering choices, the third being a lovely easy pitch to the top of the route. All in all, I hope you enjoy your adventure!

The pitches go as follows:

Pitch 1: "Uku Pacha" 5.6, 30 m, 9 bolts - Climb over a fallen log and beside a couple trees to gain the bolted rock that climbs up a white streak. Climb the bulgy, interesting stone up to a dirty ledge, then proceed up past one more bolt on slab before hiking up a stepped, dirty section - the only bad part of this otherwise great route.

Pitch 2: "Kay Pacha" 5.7 / 5.9 var, 27 m, 8 bolts - From the anchor take the left line (straight up) for the 5.9 variation. To keep the route at a more moderate 5.7, head up and right to the right hand variation. Climb through a well bolted crux sequence, then head more easily up a groove. Belay at a cove to the right of a ledge and the upper face.

Pitch 3: "Hanan Pacha" 5.5, 28 m, 9 bolts - A very fun pitch that climbs up beside a left-facing corner. Head left from the anchor to clip a bolt, then climb the obvious corner feature. Pull a steep move up high and head left to the anchor. Congrats, you're at the top!

Recommended rack: 10 quickdraws, 60 m rope.

Park at either the Jura Creek parking lot (washrooms provided) or the rough gravel pullout at the base of Door Jamb Mountain. Start your hike on a small hump directly beneath the power lines on the far hiker's right side of the Door Jamb Mountain trail. Hike up the trail, staying on the rightmost well-trodden trail. After about 5 minutes you will reach a scramble up a v-shaped feature beside a large tree. Follow a rough trail to the right and up, or otherwise, scramble up the V and look to your right for a very obvious large cairn (waypoint provided). This is the start of the climber's trail. From the cairn, drop off the ridge and traverse on the nice trail. Stay left at all major junctions. Eventually you will come across the rock on your left-hand side, just keep continuing until the trail ends. Follow a few zig-zags up to where Pachamama starts at a fallen log. Approach: 700 m, 120 m gain, 15-20 min

The route is easily rappelled with a 60m rope. Note that some of the rappels are close to 30m so be sure to tie knots in the end of your rope. There is also a very nice walk-off descent - from the top of the cliff, head left through some trees then gain the main Door Jamb Mountain scramble trails to head down the ridge back to the parking area. There are several trails braided amongst the trees, but they will all take you down the mountain to the bottom.

The sister route to Pachamama is Spike Up Your Life - a similar 3 pitch route that also goes at 5.7. Start to the left of the large fallen tree and the rocky bay, scramble up from the trail to spot the bolts. Pitches go as follows: Pitch 1: 30m, 5.5, 8 bolts; Pitch 2: 30m, 5.7, 9 bolts; Pitch 3: 25m, 5.6, 8 bolts. Spike Up Your Life is very worthwhile to extend your climbing adventure out on this wall. If you plan on doing both routes I recommend climbing Spike Up Your Life first THEN Pachamama since Pachamama is the better route. If you're just doing one route and not both, do Pachamama over SUYL. Both routes do reach the geocache site and both end in roughly the same location also.

This geocache lies 60 meters up a steep cliff face. Without the proper rock climbing equipment and knowledge, attempting to reach this geocache will be fatal. Even with the proper climbing equipment (which I will not describe - you should know what you need!), you and your climbing partner will need the appropriate skills for multipitch sport climbing. If you are not 100% confident in your equipment or skillbase, seek guiding or training from a certified professional!