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Cat's Cradle

5.8+, Trad,  Avg: 2.6 from 38 votes
FA: unknown
Wyoming > Laramie Area > Vedauwoo > Hassler's Hatbox
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Description

This is a great route well worth the walk after topping out on any of the Walt's Wall or Fall Wall routes. After locating the crag gawking at Lucille, look to the right for this classic line.

Ascend the stemmy corner to the first large ledge. One could separate the climb into 2 pitches after this first 30' of the lead. Step a few feet right and surmount the initial difficulties of entering the crack - seemingly the Vedauwoo theme. If you fall out, you have a king-sized ledge to plop back onto. Once established, cruise the fun, continuous handcrack to the anchor.

Protection

A standard rack including a good selection of hand-size cams suffices. Rappel anchors are on the shelf above the crack.

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

Stemmin' out to a quick rest on Cat's Cradle.
[Hide Photo] Stemmin' out to a quick rest on Cat's Cradle.
Working the boulder problem
[Hide Photo] Working the boulder problem
Me getting started in the bouldery crux section.  The crack above was pretty continuous.  The only way to rest was with your feet crammed in the crack.  Photo by Chad Stebbins.
[Hide Photo] Me getting started in the bouldery crux section. The crack above was pretty continuous. The only way to rest was with your feet crammed in the crack. Photo by Chad Stebbins.
Seth Friedly at first belay
[Hide Photo] Seth Friedly at first belay

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

[Hide Comment] It's pretty rough getting into the crack for the second pitch. The feet are really awkward. However, one good pull should get you to much easier ground. Feb 4, 2002
George Bell
Boulder, CO
 
[Hide Comment] I placed a #3.5 Camalot in the bottom stem slot, other than that nothing bigger than hand pieces is needed. The start of the second half is well described as a 5.9 boulder problem, takes some thought. Mar 22, 2004
Alex Vidal
Durango, CO
[Hide Comment] Awkward and strenuous but takes good gear. Might be hard to on-sight if 5.8... or even 5.9 is your limit. Jun 29, 2015