PRINT: Rock Climb Alpine Dihedral, Obed & Clear Creek

Alpine Dihedral

5.8+, Trad, 110 ft (33 m),

Avg: 3.5 from 70 votes
FA: Craig Stannard and Bob Cormany, 1978
Tennessee > Obed & Clear Creek > N Clear Creek > Broom Wall/Rasputin L…

Description

This line is a little confusing at first only because the first ledge at approximately 40' has a double bolt anchor. If you only want to do the lower section this is fine, but I would not recommend doing this route in two pitches. The 5.8+ crux is right off this ledge and a fall here so close to the anchor would be not so good.

Start by climbing the left facing corner to an awkward bulge to the previously mentioned ledge. Take rest and pull the bulge above the ledge with a handcrack. Continue through a couple more 5.8 moves in a very nice and well protected hand crack. Traverse left near the top to find double bolt anchors at a spacious ledge.

Dixie Cragger's Atlas notes an alternate finish up and right, but I saw nothing that looked like it would go at 5.8 or less to the right; however it looked like an easy 4th class to the top continuing to the left past the belay ledge.

This is a great climb with challenging crux that is a little exposed and very worthy of your attention.

Location

Two ropes to reach the ground or walk off.
The climb is easy to find by following the guidebook. It starts in a shady corner with a large hemlock

Protection

A bolt just below the crux at the ledge and a bolt above the crux. both seemed useless as there is better protection nearby and probably added in the 90's. Otherwise a standard rack of nuts, tricams, and cams up to #4 camalot. Plenty of runners.

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

Robin Geaslin cruising out the upper section of Alpine Dihedral!

Looking up the Alpine Dihedral

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

Brad McKnight

Haha, Grade III? Ha, I mean its a great route, but someone needs to change that. Sep 28, 2012

Travis Griggs

Yep, AD can be climbed in a single pitch. It's silly to call it a Grade III. I'm not sure where that came from...

Fun climb though. I took a monster whipper on this one when my toe slipped on a wet hold about half way up the second pitch. I'd just stopped to place pro and was a little run out when it happened. A little purple camalot caught the fall and I ended up hanging left of the belay ledge, just about even with my partner.

Good times! This could be a good one for an aspiring multi-pitch climber to cut his/her teeth on. The belay ledge is nice and big, the crack soaks up midsize pro, and the falls are clean. I recommend it. Mar 4, 2013

DrRockso RRG
Red River Gorge, KY

Pulled off the 50 lbs death block next the the fixed bolt on the second pitch. Great route. Did this in one pitch, you MUST have a 70m rope to lower to the ground from the top bolted anchors, alternatively lower or rap to the 1st set of bolted anchors. Sep 3, 2013

Chris Jones

who is the dickweed that added the double bolt anchor in the middle of the best single pitch crack in the obed. someone please chop and fill. wait a minute, am i reading that someone bolted this crack for protection in this route description. kelly, if you read this please authorize someone to clean up this mess. there should be no bolts on this route other than top rap anchors, if any. Mar 1, 2014

M.Ish
Salt Lake City, UT

5.8+

If you are going to combine the first and second pitches, a 70m rope is suggested - every centimeter was used. Bomber placements the whole way up. A good route to practice jamming. If you get uncomfortable, plenty of face holds offer support. Sep 28, 2015

paul.adams.3
Knoxville, TN

I've led this as 1 and 2 pitches and both are fun. If you split it up, you can build an anchor at the bolt above the first anchors. Use a number 2 and .4 camalot with the bolt and you're set. It's a good stance as well, although not as big as the anchor ledge, but you belay above the crux move. The belay from the top is awesome. Def worth bringing your partner up..the view and position are spectacular. A 70m will just barely get you down with stretch. But, there is a set of anchors from another climb that you can rap directly down to instead of swinging over to the pitch 1 anchors. It is literally directly below the top anchors Nov 25, 2015

Adam Beck
Nashville, TN

I first climbed the lower pitch in 2008. It's my opinion that this pitch is closer to 5.6. Still a worthwhile pitch that protects well. Great for beginning leaders. The two-bolt anchor on the ledge makes this pitch appropriately accessible. The ledge is a good place to practice top belays too.

I went back yesterday and led the second pitch from the ledge. I agree that the start is bouldery, yet I was able to reach high from the belay to place a very nice purple Camalot which well protected that crux. The rest of the pitch is fun and protects well. Yet near the top traverse is a stack of large precariously stacked blocks which the second's rope can't help but run over. There appears to be little holding these blocks in place. The result of them being dislodged with a climber beneath could be catastrophic! For this reason I advise against the upper pitch so long as the blocks are there.

There is a rap station on a ledge about 80' directly below the top anchor. It's been there for years. 60m rope, 2 rappells will easily get you down. Nov 28, 2015

Chuck Parks
Atlanta, GA

The bolted belay at 40 feet I could live with. But the two bolts on "pitch 2" located right next to a perfectly good crack need to go. This climb is very well protected without the need for any bolts. Apr 11, 2016

Zabadoo
Grand Rapids, MI

5.8

One of the best routes I have ever done. Super fun movement and super long with great pro. Aug 25, 2017

Jim Urbec
Sevierville, TN

great route. upper section was a little wet and slimey. but we did it as 2 pitches and then toped out right to the main trail. Apr 14, 2018

Austin Johnson

As of June 22 there is a decent sized hornets nest 25ft from the top 10ft to the left of the crack. Had to bail because a hornet flew into the crack at the top. Heads up for anyone else doing it. Jun 24, 2024