Tony B Around Boulder, CO   5.8

[Hide Comment] It's all about stemming. Seems very reasonable within the grade if you stem it. Also, I like the climbing, but it's not a 4-star at Seneca -- too short. Jan 19, 2007

Rick M Annapolis, Maryland

[Hide Comment] it's worthy of 4 stars and a tough lead for the grade Jul 19, 2007

Charlie Perry

[Hide Comment] First real big fall I ever took. Probably in early eighties fell about sixty feet. Dec 26, 2007

Ladd Raine Plymouth, NH   5.8+

[Hide Comment] 60 feet huh? Must have not placed from the crux to the anchors then fell, wow. Dec 26, 2007

C Runyan Boulder, CO

[Hide Comment] No question, this is a Seneca classic. Jul 21, 2008

Joe Dietrick

[Hide Comment] Super route. Crack and face climb that will get your blood going. Feb 6, 2009

dinglestyle Catonsville, MD   5.9

[Hide Comment] Easy 5.9 rating when compared to other climbs in the area like Tomato, The Burn and Alcoa. In my experience as a climber whenever I see a plus symbol it means sandbag rating Especially any east coast route that was established pre 5.10 era. This is classic Seneca at it’s best still, a test piece in the mind of many weekend warriors. Feb 20, 2009

Ross Purnell Palmyra

[Hide Comment] This is the most sustained pitch of 5.8 climbing I have ever done. It's like the forces of Nature collaborated to create this especially for climbers. Really amazing. Jun 1, 2009

oldbull Laguna Beach, CA

[Hide Comment] Ahh...fond memories of this climb. Absolutely stellar!!! Not friendly for those with bad technique, but certainly a gift that keeps on giving. Your calves will be scorching by the time you hit the top. Lots of gear. After climbing another 10+ years, it does strike me that sandbag may be a good description of this climb. I can't think of too many 8's that are more consistent or harder. Jul 14, 2009

Mike Anderson Colorado Springs, CO

[Hide Comment] I had no idea quartzite could get this polished. Oct 19, 2010

Caleb Efta Golden, CO   5.9+

[Hide Comment] Good climb. New to trad, so it was a hard climb for me. It sucks in the gear though. I used 7 or 8 nuts and only 2 cams. Consistent too, no real break in the climbing. Oct 28, 2010

Terri Payne Brink

[Hide Comment] It's been a while... The Gendarme was still standing when I did this route! I have now climbed all over the country, Josh, Yosemite, Red Rocks, the list goes on. But Triple S is still THE route, best classic route I have ever climbed, don't miss it! Back when I climbed it it was a 5.7. Dang that was a hard 7! Apr 15, 2011

shirley surely

[Hide Comment] So much stemming that my feet were shaking! Chimney and stemming and pushing! yeah! May 13, 2012

climbinbob

[Hide Comment] I led this, again, on my 56th birthday. It seems to get harder every year, as the rock is just getting more and more polished. You can place gear everywhere, though; and, what a great belay stance at the top!! Sep 6, 2012

Dan Mathews 5.9-

[Hide Comment] Love this climb. Stemming and even some chimney moves for rests are the key. Solid protection is everywhere, so don't let it scare you off. Some thinly protected Seneca 5.7s are more intimidating than this. It doesn't get much better. Oct 24, 2012

BrianWS   5.8+

[Hide Comment] Nothing on this climb is harder than 5.8... but not much on it is any easier than 5.8, either. Very sustained. Sep 9, 2013

Emil Briggs   5.8

[Hide Comment] I loved the route and while it wasn't a gimme I didn't think it was particularly sandbagged. As long as you have decent stem technique that is. If you don't it's going to feel really hard. Nov 12, 2013

Henry AB

[Hide Comment] Awesome route! There are lots of opportunities for chimney moves, and they provide good rests. I mostly placed small to medium cams, nothing larger than a #3 C4. There was an accident on this climb in 2001. publications.americanalpine… A climber fell and caught his foot on a chockstone. That seems like a hazard on blocky corner climbs like Triple S. Be careful! Sep 8, 2015

Jonathan Neville Red River Gorge, KY

[Hide Comment] Does anyone know of any good routes that lead to the proper summit from the top of Triple S? Apr 5, 2016

John Burkhart Morgantown, WV

[Hide Comment] Climbed this yesterday onsight. What a fantastic route! It never lets up, there are some decent stances but they are strenuous. This route does not test your finger strength but it does test your perseverance and foot strength. Good gear. I clipped a fixed nut (looked very recent)- my partner wasn't able to clean it but we were getting cooked in the sun. If someone gets a chance give cleaning that nut a shot and it should be able to be removed. Sep 26, 2016

Andrew G Pittsburgh, PA   5.8+

[Hide Comment] I have nothing to say that hasn't already been said about the first pitch. The second pitch is a stark contrast-- loose and a bit awkward, but certainly easier. Follow the line straight up and it spits you out right near Traffic Jam notch. Jun 23, 2017

Chris Nicholson Montgomery, OH

[Hide Comment] It's the sustained nature that pushes the envelope. Easily a 5.9+ elsewhere. It is unrelenting but a great classic. And wonderful for sandbagging! Jan 29, 2020

Eunny Jang Washington D.C.

[Hide Comment] Absolutely phenomenal. Gear any and everywhere from #4 on down. Eats up stoppers and hexes. Note for the short - at 5’2” I mostly found the left side stems to be too far away to be useful; I jammed in the crack and used edges on the right side instead. So fun and sustained. Mar 10, 2021