Bella Vista Slab

This undulating slab runs over 500' up the side of Crane Mountain. Among several such long slabs, this is the closest to the Belleview Slab, being only 120' left of the top of that crag. The appeal here is for the alpine feel, open views, and ease of access; don't expect a lot of strenuous climbing. Do expect a fair amount of unkempt slab, although increasing traffic is helping reduce the flotsam. Feel free to bring a brush and touch up a spot or two along the way. A half dozen or more routes course up its length, but the best is the eponymous line that begins at the slab's lowpoint, winds up open rock through several challenging steps, to end at its highpoint, a picturesque platform with several natural rock benches. Every route here has a few seriously runout sections, generally in the 5.3 range, but in most spots, easier, safer alternatives can be found (though this may require thrashing through dense foliage). While it is possible to walk down via gullies (climber's left), there is a rappel course along the slab. Be forewarned: there are several rope-snagging flakes and saplings along the way. To use it, scramble down climber's right (class 3) to the lowest of several spruce trees, where the topmost fixed anchor lies. Take this down, slightly climber's left, to an anchor on an oak tree. Take this to an anchor on a spruce tree. Take that anchor to another one on an oak tree below the headwall. Take that to the ledge at the base of Le Jeur de Bon Heures. Either scramble down or take one more oak tree rappel to reach the base of the slab.