Use onX Backcountry to explore the terrain in 3D, view recent satellite imagery, and more. Now available in onX Backcountry Mobile apps! For more information see this post.
Elevation: 1,062 ft 324 m
GPS: 44.04542, -90.02007
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 319,371 total · 1,303/month
Shared By: chris tregge on Oct 26, 2004 · Updates
Admins: Doug Hemken, James Schroeder, chris tregge, Ben Strobel, Kyle Harding

Description Suggest change

Perhaps the best sport climbing area in Wisconsin now that Gibraltar is closed, Necedah has been drawing Wisconsin's finest for decades. Comprised of solid, colorful sandstone, these walls offer interesting climbing on clean, steep rock. Upon arriving at the cliff, THE wall invariably grabs the climber's attention. Fifty feet tall and steadily overhanging, this wall holds some of the best climbing in the Midwest.

Y-Crack (also called Wide Crack) splits the wall, with technical and pumpy jamming on its left variation (5.10d/11a) and technical crimping with thin gear on its right (5.11c). Many difficult sport climbs broach the wall's flanks and feature technical climbing with no rests. Wisconsin's premier sport route, "Whiskey a Go Go" (5.13a) can be found here.

Spires are situated around the wall like moons around a planet, and a mega classic 5.9/10a climbs up the center of the largest spire. On a clear day Roch a Cri, Wisconsin's largest cliff (now closed to climbing), can be spotted from the top of the spire. Further down Necedah's backbone of rock, the adventurous climber can find many exciting trad routes and some hidden sport gems.

If you visit Necedah, please keep a low profile. Climbers have been here for many years and Necedah has remained a peaceful place to escape the Devil's Lake throngs. PLEASE KEEP IT THAT WAY.

Dont even THINK about camping there; we don't need to get this place closed.  There is nearby camping at Buckhorn State Park, Petenwell County Park, Adams County Castle Rock Park, and seasonal camping at Roche-a-Cri State Park (no climbing).  These last two also give you quick access to the Quincy Bluff/Rattlesnake Mound and Hillbilly Hollow areas.

Getting There Suggest change

From the town of Necedah, drive east about three miles on Highway 21. You'll see the sandstone towers right in front of you. Take a right onto the road that parallels the cliff (19th Avenue), and park in a pull-out on your left a half mile down. A short hike through the woods straight back and then uphill to the left will take you to Y-Crack, the southern most formation.

Parking at the south end is at coordinates: 44.042510,-90.020508

There is also parking at the north end of the bluff, on a spur road beside Highway 21. Walk south into the woods until you find an old logging road angling back north - please don't scramble straight up.  This takes you right to the base of Anthrax, and gives you good access to everything from Riverboat north.

104 Total Climbs

Route Finder - Best Climbs for YOU!

Location: Necedah (Petenwell Rock) Change
Type:  to 
Quality:
Pitches:
Sort by:   then:
 

Classic Climbing Routes at Necedah (Petenwell Rock)

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b
 301
Air
Trad
5.7+ 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
 165
Glass Balls
Sport
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c R
 22
Against Medical Advice
Trad 10 pitches
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 218
Tower Route
Sport
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 83
Fire in the Sky
Trad
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 130
Riverboat Gambler
Sport
5.10a/b 6a+ 19 VI+ 19 E2 5b
 130
Mercy F**k
Sport
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b
 40
Riverboat Hustler
Sport
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b
 112
Y-Crack (aka Old and in the Way)
Trad, TR
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b
 70
Anthrax
Sport, TR
5.11a/b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c
 134
Early Times
Sport
5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a
 47
Straight No Chaser
Trad, TR
5.13a 7c+ 29 IX+ 29 E6 6c
 76
Whiskey a Go-Go
Sport, TR
5.13b 8a 29 IX+ 30 E7 6c
 5
Late Night Chalk Show
Sport
5.13b 8a 29 IX+ 30 E7 6c
 4
Y Not
Sport
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Air 04. Air Spire
 301
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b Trad
Glass Balls 06. Hell Wall (aka Qu…
 165
5.7+ 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b Sport
Against Medical Advice Necedah Linkups
 22
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c R Trad 10 pitches
Tower Route 02. Y-Crack Wall
 218
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Sport
Fire in the Sky 05. Fire Spire
 83
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Trad
Riverboat Gambler 10. Above Anthrax
 130
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Sport
Mercy F**k 06. Hell Wall (aka Qu…
 130
5.10a/b 6a+ 19 VI+ 19 E2 5b Sport
Riverboat Hustler 10. Above Anthrax
 40
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b Sport
Y-Crack (aka Old and in the… 02. Y-Crack Wall
 112
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b Trad, TR
Anthrax 12. Anthrax Wall
 70
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b Sport, TR
Early Times 02. Y-Crack Wall
 134
5.11a/b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c Sport
Straight No Chaser 02. Y-Crack Wall
 47
5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a Trad, TR
Whiskey a Go-Go 02. Y-Crack Wall
 76
5.13a 7c+ 29 IX+ 29 E6 6c Sport, TR
Late Night Chalk Show 10. Above Anthrax
 5
5.13b 8a 29 IX+ 30 E7 6c Sport
Y Not 02. Y-Crack Wall
 4
5.13b 8a 29 IX+ 30 E7 6c Sport
More Classic Climbs in Necedah (Petenwell Rock) »

Weather Averages

High
 
Low
 
Precip
 
Days w Precip
 
Prime Climbing Season
J F M A M J J A S O N D
J F M A M J J A S O N D

Photos

loading