Ideas for accessing higher property

Literally.

My roommates and I would like to gain access to some of our untapped property. The only trouble is, there's a big rock wall in the way. What ideas or suggestions do you have on a permanent, stable and somewhat inexpensive way to get up this thing? Here are some pictures. We're thinking the easiest thing would be to build a smaller stair set that run perpendicular to the lowest flank and then hiking up the side.

Stroll around the side of rock and walk up, or eat a big plate of beans and fly to the top.

I like the latter idea. You could also drill holes, set in some re-bar and have some concrete steps,if it isn't to steep

I like the beans idea. Get the ham beans 15 bean soup and you will explode to the moon.

Doesn't look that steep or talk in the pictures. Walk to the backside or climb the wire?

Lol

You can scramble up the side to get up to the top, that's not the issue. Also, to get to the back of it we have to drive about a mile around to get through the alleys which lead to the property. We're trying to find a permanent structure, particularly a staircase. Now, exactly how and where to build the staircase is the tricky part.

Buy you a long extension ladder.

Depends how stable the rock is. Dowel into the rock, weld some steps on the dowel, put a handrail and a couple of braces and you are good to go. Only cost would be the steel.

We don't have a welder or know how to weld but this idea did occur to us. The rock is very crumbly so I highly doubt we can set anchors into it. I haven't tried so I don't know for sure though. The other side of the face has some better looking but still, not as solid as can be, places to set anchors but the height would be about 20' and so it'd be really hard to set a comfortable grade to walk up. They'd be like 2ft tall stairs or something lol

Anything other than a ladder and if done correctly will be getting into some serious dollars.

ever been to the Grand Canyon? they use ~4' long treated timber (like a cross tie) and zigzag back n forth backfilling with gravel for a walking path, just have to zigzag more when steeper...

A lift would be "cool"

Zip line

Looks almost like you could drive up there by cutting up at an angle where that tree is laying....I'd lean forward just a wee bit.

Those are our thoughts exactly. That's why we're leaning towards trying to build a "simple" staircase on the lowest flank of the rock and having a steeper hike up the side. Our posts would be somewhere near the backside of the trashcan in the first picture. Also, I'm sure you can tell but we won't be digging into "dirt" so much as not-so-hard rock. We can't do a ladder as we'd like dogs and family to access the higher grounds as well.

Only other thing I can think of is a redneck outdoor-style elevator system with a wench like this: http://hillhiker.com/product/

If you have electricity available, that opens up a bunch of options.

Like what, other than redneck elevators?

Do you own the property?

seriously can you not crawl up it?

You can crawl up it, that's not the issue. It's creating a solid structure so that we, our dogs and friends who don't want to crawl up the hill, have a walkway up. This is our backyard not a hunting ground.



I am not the property owner, my roommate is the property owner.

You can crawl up it, that's not the issue. It's creating a solid structure so that we, our dogs and friends who don't want to crawl up the hill, have a walkway up. This is our backyard not a hunting ground.



What's on the other side or top? Heaven or a beer store? I guess that's almost one in the same. I kinda think the sameway, always wanna get to the top!

Human catapult/canon.

Pneumatic drill & rock anchors to tie a staircase to it! Probably isn't gonna be cheap though.

I'm digging the elevator idea. Since it's not your property, have your friend spring for an all glass elevator so you can enjoy the view.

Simple rope ladder, when I was a kid we would have figured it out on our own and had a fort built by now.

Get two lengths of rope long enough to go up and over to something stable to tie off to.

Get a bunch of scrap 2x6 or 2x4 wood, cut them in 24" lengths , drill a hole in each end of each board, run ropes thru holes after tying a knot in ropes below each step board, repeat until done.

Home Depot sells a good 3/4" rope for pretty good price. Hit up a jobsite where they are framing and ask the boss for some scraps.

That elevator is purty neat.

Here's the route we decided to go. Digging there is ridiculous. Things are looking pretty nice and square considering this is our first attempt at something like this.

Just balance all the way up it?

lol That's the frame of the stair set we're building.

A "catwalk" like on the sides of buildings. I know your pets couldn't use it, but if the rock is breaking apart and won't hold a dowel, I seriously doubt you could tie something into the wall.

I may have just stained my 'skivvies'.

Finally done.

came out nice

Sure did

It's a little sideways lol. I'll try to get better picture here soon.

Very nice - what stain did you use on the wood (brand and shade) ?

Have a cold one after that!

Looks good. And only took 18 months to build.

Sorry, I just saw this. My roommate did the staining. Let me see if we still have the can tucked away somewhere. I'll try to get some more non-sideways photos posted soon.

Looks like you did just fine in spite of all the "advice" on here.