Less-than-inspiring graffiti-covered sandstone bluff at a wayside, that sees very little attention because it is twenty minutes from the far more classic Necedah (Petenwell Bluff).
Despite what its detractors say, Shiprock holds a few fun lines.
Getting There
Located on Hwy 21 between Necedah and Hwy 51/39 in central Wisconsin. From Necedah go East on Hwy 21 and from Hwy 51/39 go West on Hwy 21. The wayside that contains Shiprock is on the North side of Hwy 21.
The Classics
Mountain Project's determination of some of the classic, most popular, highest rated routes for Shiprock (a.k.a. Sh*trock):
Basically the easiest climbing/spelunking route to the top. Boulder up to the small tunnel on the south face of the bluff. Squeeze through tunnel and emerge on the north side of the bluff. Ascend ramp on your right to top of bluff. This will deposit you on the "summit plateau" of the East side of Shiprock.To be sure you actually summit, locate the large boulder near the east end of the summit plateau. Attain the summit by scrambling up the West end of this boulder and walking all the way to...[more]Browse More Classics in WI
Ship Rock does hold some fun lines but is hardly worth the drive and the rock can break off while in the midst of a trad climb. I would suggest instead the drive to Devils Lake or Interstate State Park.
A fun little place to climb. Not a place that is a destination climbing spot by any means, but nice spot none the less. If headed to Petenwell Rock to the west from Eastern Wisconsin along hwy 21, it is a fun place to stop and include in your day of climbing.
Best thing about it, you will most likely have the place all to yourself. That makes the climbing all the more fun. I hate Devils Lake because everyone and their brother is out climbing there. I would rather climb at Shiprock over climbing at Devils Lake any day.
There are several great lines on this thing, we at least three on the roadside, I recall one very scary one the shoots straight up the middle of the clean face in the center (to the left of the obvious notch?) Another on the west end (again roadside) that is harder than it looks due to steepness and friable rock.
RSS Feed
more...
Slideshow
