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Elevation: 1,829 ft 557 m
GPS: 38.15303, -80.93231
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Shared By: Jeremy Steck on Jul 15, 2009 · Updates
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Description Suggest change

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This crag defines quality over quantity—not too many lines, but those that do exist in the few hundred feet of cliffline are some of the area's best. It contains what for years was the hardest sport line at the NRG (Mango Tango), and the hardest trad line (Greatest Show on Earth). Although these lines are no longer the "hardest" in the area, they are still undeniably aesthetic, and not repeated frequently. Beyond this, there are a few other great sport routes, such as the endurance lines Puppy Chow and Lavender Days, the exquisite hard face Fruity Pants, and some fun cracks like Big Top, Begoon-Artz Corner, and Back to Power. Many of the routes stay dry in the rain. The only thing this area lacks is moderate sport climbs.

Getting There Suggest change

Follow the directions for the Lower Meadow. After walking along the ATV trail for five or ten minutes, you will see the cliffline on your right. As soon as you see some huge roofs and a striking yellow and orange headwall that make you go "Oh my God, look at THAT!" take a climber's trail up to the cliff. You can orient everything from Greatest Show, which is the unmistakable roof crack to hanging corner.

20 Total Climbs

Route Finder - Best Climbs for YOU!

Location: 3 Greatest Show Area Change
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Classic Climbing Routes at 3 Greatest Show Area

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a
 60
● Great White Dihedral aka Begoon/…
Trad
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 14
● Hack Attack aka Carny Crack
Trad
5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b
 12
● Back to Power
Trad
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
 8
● Ziggerknot
Trad
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c
 8
● Interpreting Intermission
Sport
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c
 17
● Join the Circus
Sport
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c
 101
● Just Another Pretty Face
Sport
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a
 19
● Big Top
Trad
5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b
 65
● Puppy Chow
Sport
5.12d 7c 28 IX 28 E6 6b
 20
● Ruda Tovar (AKA Porter's 12c)
Sport
5.13a 7c+ 29 IX+ 29 E6 6c
 9
● The Greatest Show On Earth
Trad
5.13a 7c+ 29 IX+ 29 E6 6c
 30
● Mighty Dog (aka Lavender Days)
Sport
5.13a 7c+ 29 IX+ 29 E6 6c
 4
● Blackened Tan
Sport
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
● Great White Dihedral aka Be…
 60
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a Trad
● Hack Attack aka Carny Crack
 14
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Trad
● Back to Power
 12
5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b Trad
● Ziggerknot
 8
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b Trad
● Interpreting Intermission
 8
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c Sport
● Join the Circus
 17
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c Sport
● Just Another Pretty Face
 101
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c Sport
● Big Top
 19
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a Trad
● Puppy Chow
 65
5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b Sport
● Ruda Tovar (AKA Porter's 12c)
 20
5.12d 7c 28 IX 28 E6 6b Sport
● The Greatest Show On Earth
 9
5.13a 7c+ 29 IX+ 29 E6 6c Trad
● Mighty Dog (aka Lavender Days)
 30
5.13a 7c+ 29 IX+ 29 E6 6c Sport
● Blackened Tan
 4
5.13a 7c+ 29 IX+ 29 E6 6c Sport
More Classic Climbs in 3 Greatest Show Area »

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The beautiful orange and blade arete of Mango Tango 5.14a.
The beautiful orange and blade arete of Mango T…
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