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Blood Pool Rock Climbing

Climbing Area Map

Routes in Blood Pool

L › R R › L A › Z

	Cacabunga S 5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c
	Cerulean S 5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
	Double Decker S 5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
	I'm Not Lichen This S 5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b
	Rosie's Thorn S 5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b PG13
	Sloth Claw S 5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b
	Zapato Roto S 5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c

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Elevation:	2,558 ft	780 m
GPS:	38.74906, -78.26129 Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views:	723 total · 48/month
Shared By:	Geo Kache on Dec 3, 2023
Admins:	Shawn Heath, Aaron Parlier Page Updates (admin only)

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Description

Long face climbing routes. Modern grading system similar to Elizabeth Furnace.

All lines have be climbed by several people, and there is not much choss unless you get off route. Climb and belay with a helmet and use caution just in case. On the crag's south body are a few ledges that have loose pebbles/rocks on them but easy to avoid knocking them over.

Some of these routes were intended to be mixed, but most routes do not have trustworthy placements for pro. Some of the surface rock has broken when testing a cam or nut, or is otherwise wet/covered in lichen. Cerulean has two areas for solid pro between bolts, but without the pro you would just be doing a similar run out to safe harbor, so most climbers would not need them anyway. The remaining routes may have a few optional pieces here and there between bolts, but this is always on very easy moves so if you are comfortable climbing moderate routes you will not need them.

Getting There

The best approach is to park at Keyser Run Trailhead where the crag is exactly one mile from the car. From the parking lot, walk the trail for a few minutes, then head through the woods to the GPS point 38.745886, -78.260212. The entire hike is a bush whack, but the majority could be walked with your hands in your pockets if you're lucky and end up going the most efficient way. Once you near the cliffs, you might run into a wall of sticker bushes. These can be completely avoided by heading straight south then west towards the cliffs rather than directly to them. Afterwards you hike down a small gully and boulderfield to reach the top of the crag.

The anchors are on the backside of a large rock at the top of the cliffs. See attached photo to show what you're looking for at the end of the approach. You can rappel to the bottom of the cliffs ONLY with a 70m rope. The 70m rope will not hit the ground, but with it weighted it will stretch enough to barely make it. Tie knots at the end.

It is also possible to start at the lower parking lot of Devils Stair Case and hike up to the base, but this requires a lot more time and involves risky fourth class terrain, where the crag earned its namesake.

To go home, both sides have wet fourth class terrain to scramble back up the cliffs, however the easiest and safest way to leave is to use the far right 5.6 Rosie's Thorn. This will put you on a ledge where you can walk off the cliff to your right and hike out.