[Hide Comment] I gave this three stars; I think it is probably one of the best routes in the area, but it begs the question: does that alone merit four stars, or would you compare it to other climbs in other areas? I'm not sure I could say that this route was on a par with, say, Dark Shadows at Red Rocks or the Kor-Ingalls Route on Castleton Tower. In fact, I'm not sure that I could say this route was as good as Cat in the Hat (which I also gave three stars), but I would think it's certainly worth more than two. Ian, what criteria do you use to rate routes from dissimilar areas? Oct 16, 2006

[Hide Comment] Hey Jon, I've also wondered what to do about star ratings. I have had a bit of an internal debate as to rate relative to the area or all the climbs I've ever done. It is really hard to compare two climbs such as Cat and the Hat (multi-pitch sandstone) to Jasper's Dihedral (45ft quartzite). So I try to give star ratings relative to the area but also keep in mind the big picture of climbs I've done elsewhere. So some routes I have given three or four stars simply because they are the best climbs in the area but would probably be only two stars when compared to other areas. That's what I like about mountain project though is that everyone has there say in ratings and number of stars. That being said I think Jasper's is worthy of the three stars I gave it. Its probably up there as one of the best routes at blue mounds, but i didn't think it didn't quite deserved four stars given the perspective of some other routes that I've done, and because its not all that sustained. It is a fun climb with an exciting finish, and in my opinion definitely worth doing. Nov 16, 2006

[Hide Comment] I wasn't overly impressed by Jasper's Dihedral. I headed out to Blue Mounds having never climbing before and knowing of the route because I was told it's a great line and is named after one of my professors at the University of Minnesota - Mankato. After climbing it I would only give it 2 stars. This is because I love climbing cracks and dihedrals and this one just had too much hype for me. There wasn't any amazing crack technique needed and it wasn't sustained. If you head for it without any expectations it might be more exciting for you. Nov 18, 2008

[Hide Comment] The last part if kind of awkward but challenging. Might be hard for shorter people but it rocked. May 4, 2009

[Hide Comment] How big we talkin - #5, #6 camalot? Sep 8, 2009

[Hide Comment] A #11 BD hex protected the topout pretty well. Sep 9, 2009

[Hide Comment] My first trad lead in 1989 with 1/2 set of stoppers and a 1/2 set of hexes. Couldn't afford a full set. The #11 hex came in real handy at the top! Dec 7, 2010

[Hide Comment] We hit this first in our blue mounds trip. Setting the TR was easy and the route was a blast. I'm glad we warmed up with this one and I'm excited to lead it next time. Jan 2, 2011

[Hide Comment] i would say this route stays 5.6/7 until the 5.8 bit in the last five feet. protects well with minimal gear-- two-three chock-stones can be threaded. Aug 13, 2018

[Hide Comment] Fun climb. I think the last section of this is almost identical to Via Apia at Devil's Lake, except possibly even a little easier since there are more options for feet. Aug 11, 2020